Olympic State of Mind with Jordan Burroughs

Andrea Fuentes has a difficult task. She is hoping to use her experience, as a four-time synchronised swimming Olympic medallist, to qualify an American team to the Olympics. The U.S. hasn’t entered a team since Beijing 2008. The country used to dominate the sport – can they beat the odds and reach Tokyo 2020?“We are doing in five months what others took years to achieve,” said Fuentes.Ahead of the Pan American Games and the FINA World Aquatics Championships, we follow a coaching team determined to realise a dream.LINKS:Andrea Fuentes InstagramReem Abdalazem InstagramUSA SynchroEd Knowles TwitterAdam Peaty InstagramOlympic Channel Instagram

3 Heinä 201920min

They are one of Canada’s big medal hopes for the FINA World Championships 2019. The diving pair are big friends in and out of the swimming pool. After two fourth place finishes at Rio 2016, Jennifer Abel needed the help of a new partner to put the ‘dark thoughts’ to one side. Melissa Citrini has made diving more fun for Abel. We talk Olympic goals and karaoke songs with the pair (singing included).LINKSJennifer Abel on InstagramMelissa Citrini on InstagramEd Knowles on TwitterScott Bregman on TwitterMiss Val episode

26 Kesä 201924min

Breaking legend B-Boy Moy was carrying a pistol to school the day his life changed. He discovered breaking at a talent show. After winning countless awards and contests, he’s now a big advocate for taking the sport to the next level: the Olympic Games. We spoke to Moy Rivas about his devotion to dance, hip hop, and positivity.LINKS:All you need to know about the Breaking World ChampionshipsB-Boy Moy InstagramEd Knowles TwitterWhy Olympic Skateboarding will be awesome

18 Kesä 201921min

Women’s skateboarding, the ultra-competitive USA team, and core skating. There’s a lot to talk about as the countdown to the Olympics is officially on for skateboarding with qualification already underway. We caught up with Dashawn Jordan and Jenn Soto to talk gender equality and equal pay in skating. Plus, will we ever see skateboarding at the Paralympics? Oscar Loreto Jr and Aaron Wheelz Fotheringham are hoping to make that dream a reality.LINKSUSA Skateboarding InstagramDashawn Jordan InstagramJenn Soto InstagramNyjah Huston podcast episodeFAQ on skateboarding qualification at the OlympicsEd Knowles on Twitter

12 Kesä 201920min

We have travelled the world to find the best football stories ahead of the WWC in France. There are two exclusive interviews with senior FIFA officials: Fatma Samoura (Secretary General) and Sarai Bareman (Chief Women’s Football Officer). Plus, we went to Malaga to speak to refugee Ode Fulutudilu about her call up to the South Africa squad. We also took a trip to Orlando, USA, to speak to Jamaican teenager Jody Brown on playing against her idols.LINKSAda Hegerberg episodeEd Knowles on TwitterNicklas Vinde on TwitterFatma Samoura on TwitterSarai Bareman on TwitterOde Fulutudilu on Twitter

5 Kesä 201930min

His vision became impaired but it meant earning a shot at his dream: representing his country at Tokyo 2020. British judoka Elliot Stewart had given up on following his father’s footsteps to become an Olympian. When he lost his sight, he lost his job and was unsure of his direction in life. Stewart returned to judo, came third at the World Championships, and looks to be a strong candidate for the British Paralympic team.“I lost my vision. But I can do the sport that I love. And go to the place that I’ve always wanted to go which is the Paralympic Games.”LINKSElliot Stewart Twitter British Judo Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter David Weir episode

29 Touko 201924min

John McAvoy is an Ironman triathlete. The first part of his life was spent in prison or committing serious crime. Now, he’s broken world records in indoor rowing and had top-level meetings with the UK government the UK government. McAvoy vowed to change his ways when his friend died in a car chase. He left behind a criminal life of chasing money to focus on motivating and inspiring people. “If you gave me the option between winning a gold medal at the Olympics, or sacrificing my whole athletic career to stop one kid going to prison: I’d sacrifice everything,” he said to the Olympic Channel Podcast.LINKSJohn on InstagramOlympic Channel on InstagramEd on Twitter

22 Touko 201946min

The Norwegian striker is going for her fourth consecutive Champions League title and has broken goal records consistently. The Olympic Channel Podcast found out about why she’s passionate about equality in women’s football, her Ballon d’Or win, and her ambitions with club Olympique Lyonnais.LINKSAda Hegerberg InstagramNicklas Vinde TwitterEd Knowles Twitter

15 Touko 201924min