The epic story behind the shirtless flagbearer who is aiming to represent Tonga again at Tokyo 2020
Pita Taufatofua grabbed everyone’s attention when he arrived at Rio 2016’s Opening Ceremony with his bare, coconut-oiled chest. And then he did it again at PyeongChang 2018 in below freezing conditions. From escaping avalanches in Iceland to ending up thousands of dollars in debt, the Tongan took on every problem with a smile. His sporting career started in taekwondo, then he moved to cross country skiing, and now he’s hoping to become a kayaker. Pita’s positivity is infectious so we joined him for in depth chat at his home in Tonga.LINKS:Pita Instagram Ed on Twitter Kristina Vogel episode
1 Mai 201927min
Cheerleading in England and the chemotherapy nurse
As Alexandra Banfield prepares to represent England at the 2019 ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida, the Solihull-based athlete explains how she balances an emotional job as a chemotherapy nurse with the rigours of training for a major competition. Plus, we sent influencer Gina Scarangella to London to see how the sport has grown in the country.LINKSEverything you need to know about the 2019 ICU World Cheerleading ChampionshipsEd Knowles on Twitter
24 Apr 201915min
Briana Williams – one of the fastest teenagers on the planet
She’s fast. She’s Jamaican. And she’s coached by four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon. Briana Williams won the 100m and 200m at the U20 World Championships. Now, she is hoping to reach the 2019 World Championships (‘if her coach knows what he’s doing’ – Ato’s words not ours!) and maybe even Tokyo 2020. We spoke to both about sunglasses, Jamaican beaches, and beating FloJo’s long-standing sprint records.LINKS:Briana Williams on Instagram Ato Boldon on Twitter Bobby Clay episode
17 Apr 201921min
The nurse who surprised the world to finish second at the Boston Marathon
The question on everyone’s lips was ‘Who is Sarah Sellers?’. The American beat the odds to finish second in the 2018 Boston Marathon. The Olympic Channel Podcast spoke to the full-time nurse about what’s changed a year on, her Tokyo 2020 chances, and why she will never pay for a first class flight. LINKS:The Ultimate Guide to the Boston MarathonOlympians hail "incredible experience" of running a marathon in PyongyangSarah Sellers on InstagramEd Knowles on Twitter
10 Apr 201929min
Friendship and figure skating: Evgenia Medvedeva, Jason Brown and Brian Orser
Coach Brian Orser has some of the best figure skaters in the world training at his famous ‘Cricket Club’ in Toronto, Canada. Two of the newest additions to the team are Evgenia Medvedeva and Jason Brown. “They do have a very special chemistry,” said Orser. “They are from different backgrounds - but they seem to jive really well.” Olympic champion Meryl Davis spoke exclusively to the pair and Brian Orser about what makes their relationship so unique. LINKS: How to fall in love with a figure skater with Aljona Savchenko’s husband Liam Cross Daily blog from the world championships Evgenia Medvedeva Instagram Jason Brown Instagram Brian Orser Instagram Meryl Davis Instagram Ed Knowles on Twitter
3 Apr 201930min
Katelyn Ohashi on viral ‘Perfect 10’ routine and legendary UCLA gymnastics coach Miss Val
Her phone totally blew up. After being out with friends, US gymnast Katelyn Ohashi came home to 50,000 more followers on social media.We hear the full story behind the ‘Perfect 10’ routine that went viral, her friendship with Simone Biles, and the biggest life lesson from legendary coach Valorie Kondos Field.The Olympic Channel Podcast also spoke to Miss Val about what’s next for American gymnastics and what she’s learnt in her three decades at UCLA.LINKSJohn Orozco podcastKatelyn Ohashi Instagram Miss Val Instagram Scott Bregman Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter Original Perfect 10 Routine in Full Updated Perfect 10 Routine in Full
27 Mar 201931min
Meryl Davis on World Championships, Hanyu and Medvedeva
The ISU 2019 World Figure Skating Championships in Japan are upon us.Olympic champion figure skater Meryl Davis talks about what it’s like to compete at the top-level and gives her expert opinion on Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan and Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia.Plus, the Olympic Channel Podcast put Meryl on the spot to make some predictions about who will come out on top.Find out how to SUBSCRIBE Meryl Davis on Instagram Scott Bregman on Twitter Ed Knowles on Twitter
20 Mar 201922min
Elana Meyers Taylor on concussion, transphobia and double standards
President of the Women Sports Foundation and top USA bobsleigher gave an in-depth chat about her career, head injuries and women’s issues. We spoke to her just before the World Championships where, despite being one of the favourites to win, she crashed out and suffered her fifth concussion.It’s not clear if she will retire or continue competing but this outspoken interview is evidence of her leadership skills.Also, Elana spoke well about knowing the limits of your own body.“A lot of women have this tendency to try to ‘tough it out’. I think (because) there’s a societal stigma that we are weaker sex... we push through things when we shouldn’t necessarily.”LINKS:Elana Meyers Taylor TwitterEd Knowles TwitterVideo of last week’s Ramla Ali podcast
13 Mar 201929min
