Start 2019 the right way with five inspirational Olympic stories
If you’re looking for some motivation to achieve what you want in 2019, then have a listen to these amazing stories from across the Olympic world. We hear from Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, Jordyn Wieber, and more. Whatever your aim for the new year, we hope these stories from the greats will inspire you on your way to greatness. LINKS: Missy Franklin Jordyn Wieber Yusra Mardini Michael Phelps Klete Keller
2 Tammi 201934min
The best of the Olympic Channel Podcast 2018
To celebrate our first incredible year, we have put together highlights from some of our most downloaded interviews of the year. We have an absolute stellar line-up including Simone Biles, John Orozco, Anthony Ervin, Brian Orser and Yuzuru Hanyu. LINKS: Simone Biles John Orozco John’s song Anthony Ervin Brian Orser Yuzuru Hanyu
26 Joulu 201832min
How to come back from a career-threatening injury with snowboarder Michela Moioli
Italian Michela Moioli felt nervous ahead of her first Olympic snowboard cross final at Sochi 2014. Those nerves turned to despair as her medal hopes were crushed when she crashed heavily. Aged just 18, her career was in jeopardy after suffering a torn cruciate ligament in her knee. But, she dedicated herself to making a comeback and, four years later at PyeongChang 2018, she won gold. We spoke to Michela about pasta, post-Olympic blues, and Beijing 2022. LINKS: Against All Odds Michela Moioli Instagram
19 Joulu 201824min
Brian Orser - The man behind the world’s greatest figure skaters
We sent Olympic champion figure skater Meryl Davis to Vancouver to cover the Grand Prix Final for the Olympic Channel Podcast. And she bumped into a familiar face. Double Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser is coach to Yuzuru Hanyu, Javier Fernandez and Evgenia Medvedeva. Davis and Orser chatted about Hanyu’s ankle injury, Fernandez’s European Championships mission and what his opinion on Medvedeva’s inconsistent season. “I ask everyone for their patience. Please. It will be great. Really great. But there’s no quick fix.” LINKS: Nathan Chen Facebook Live Meryl Davis Instagram
12 Joulu 201821min
“I cried myself to sleep every night about being disabled” - Six-time Paralympic champion David Weir
British Paralympian David Weir has won more London Marathon titles than anyone on the planet.But despite his success, he’d never come to terms with his disability. He was born with a spinal cord transection that left him unable to use his legs. Frustrated by his lack of options in the sporting world growing up, he went on to excel at wheelchair racing.Even after winning six gold Paralympic medals, by the time he won his record-breaking seventh London Marathon in 2017, he felt no joy.Weir had to face up to the inner turmoil he had been burying since childhood.“I never showed my emotions to my family. I never spoke to my mum and dad about my disability... I just bottled things up for years and years.”The 39-year-old opened up about why he wants to represent Great Britain at Tokyo 2020, the highs of London 2012, and his life-changing counselling sessions.
5 Joulu 201831min
Creating hope after tragedy with Bronx gymnast John Orozco
“It's not popular for men to be emotional in America. Especially black men.” Family tragedy. Injuries. A new mission in Los Angeles. You may remember US gymnast’s emotional NBC interview after he qualified for Rio 2016. He beat the odds to make the team after injuries and the sudden death of his mother. Orozco never made it to Brazil. Another injury ended his sporting career. Now, the 25-year-old is looking to become a singer in Los Angeles. “Hope is not… an empty concept. It's something that you have to create the meaning for - what is your hope?” LINKS:Lifeline Samaritans UK John Orozco Instagram Scott Bregman Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
28 Marras 201828min
Chinese ski jumpers take their first ski lesson as they target Beijing 2022
China have sent some of their most promising athletes to Norway to transform them into Winter Olympians.A set of athletes aged 15-20 have been given an incredible challenge.They haven’t ever worn skis before but are still hopeful of becoming international level ski jumpers.We went behind-the-scenes on their first day on the slopes.Plus, double Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal, 35, joined us to tell about how to achieve longevity in skiing.Credits:Chinese Ski Jumping (Reporter: Nicklas Vinde) and Aksel Lund Svindal (Reporter: Alessandro Poggi)
21 Marras 201820min
Triple Olympic champion swimmer Anthony Ervin says ‘Winning can be terrible’
Swimmer Anthony Ervin won Olympic gold aged 19. His life then fell apart. He was homeless for a time, attempted suicide, and drank heavily. By 2016, he had completely turned his life around and won the 50m freestyle at the Olympics.Aged 35, he was the oldest individual Olympic gold medal winner in swimming.This time though - he was ready.“Winning can be a terrible thing that happens to you. It can completely intoxicate you… Winning is a test.”We spoke about Ryan Lochte, growing up with Tourette’s, and how he wants to compete at Tokyo 2020.LINKS:Anthony winning gold in RioAnthony's bookThe other book he recommendedAndre Agassi's bookThe myth of IcarusIf any of the topics in this episode distressed you, please talk to some one! Or let us know... In the UK, the charity Samaritans are very helpful.
14 Marras 201837min
