A glorious summer of sport has finally drawn to a close, leaving much of the country feeling inspired. BBC 5 Live caught up with David Weir at the Athletes' Parade to speak about his extraordinary quadruple gold medal haul. Mo Farah and his former P.E. teacher speak about his initial steps into running. Northern Irish sprinters Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop tell BBC Ulster about their success at the Paralympics. Victoria Pendleton has had incredible success but she spoke about her difficultie...
Sep 17, 2012•30 min
As the London 2012 Games drew to a close, thousands lined the streets of London to cheer on the Athletes' Parade, including a very excited BBC reporter - Stephen Chittenden. Also present were triathlon superstars, the Brownlee Brothers, who told 5 Live about the impact of public support. David Smith revealed to Sportsweek how rowing saved his life. On Radio 2, Linda Roberts told Chris Evans how she couldn’t wish for any more for her son, gold medallist Jonnie Peacock. Despite topping the Olympic...
Sep 11, 2012•28 min
Ellie Simmonds stormed to victory after winning two titles and setting two world records. Among her supporters was Steve Simmons, her father who told BBC WM that her victories were not guaranteed. A delighted Aled Davies speaks to Chris Evans the morning after taking gold in the discus. Oscar Pistorius has been the poster boy for London 2012 but after losing the 200m final, he suggested that Brazilian Alan Oliveira had benefited from using longer blades. IPC Medical Director Peter Van de Vliet r...
Sep 04, 2012•30 min
The London Paralympic Games are looking set to be the greatest in the history of the movement but it was a very different story at the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, as Britain's first-ever gold medal winner Margaret Maughan told Peter White in "No Triumph, No Tragedy". In the pursuit of Paralympic gold, some athletes with spinal injuries have resorted to using an illegal technique called “boosting” during which they cause themselves pain, creating an adrenalin rush to enhance performan...
Aug 28, 2012•30 min
Over 2,000 athletes landed in the UK this week for the Paralympic Games including the Canadian wheelchair rugby player David Willsie and New Zealand sailor Jan Apel. In BBC Radio 1's "Against All Odds", Vernon Kay charts the journeys of soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq who are now going for Gold at the Paralympics, including Sam Bowen who had difficulties coping with post-traumatic stress and Major Martin Colclough who coaches ex-Forces Paralympians. BBC World Service "Inside the Paralym...
Aug 24, 2012•30 min
A week before the biggest Paralympic Games ever, Eva Loeffler speaks to Radio 4 about her father Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a German Jewish refugee who started the Paralympic movement. Sprinter Libby Clegg on performing in front of a home crowd and running with a guide during the Games. Are the complex classification categories for disabilities holding the Paralympics back? Para-dressage rider Nicola Naylor and Baroness Tanni Gray-Thompson discuss their frustrations, and the use of blindfolds during co...
Aug 21, 2012•30 min
Judo Olympians, silver medallist Gemma Gibbons and her partner Euan Burton, tell Victoria Derbyshire about the public reaction to their victory and losses at the Games. As part of the BBC Scotland series “The Paralympians”, judoka Samuel Ingram speaks about taking bronze in Beijing and competing with his brother at the London Games. Swimmer David Roberts holds 11 Paralympic gold medals, just one less than Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson but he is unlikely to break that record after failing to quali...
Aug 17, 2012•30 min
As London 2012 draws to a close, has the Olympic experience changed the United Kingdom? Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson tells Richard Bacon about the last minute preparations for the Closing Ceremony. Olympians Katherine Grainger, Kat Copeland and Kate Walsh relive their first 24 hours after the Games. South African Oscar Pistorius may have broken new ground just by competing in the Olympics Games but he returns to defend his 100m, 200m and 400m titles at the Paralympic Games. He reveals what it is ...
Aug 15, 2012•30 min
Nicola Adams describes the sacrifices she made to make history and win the first Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing. Alistair and Jonny Brownlee talk about their gruelling training schedule and the trials of living together. Colin Paterson from Radio 5 Live visits the Bingley Harriers triathlon club, where the Brownlee brothers have been training, to meet some of their biggest fans. Radio 4’s More or Less team examine the hidden statistics in the medal table. Shanaze Reade talks about her hope...
Aug 10, 2012•27 min
Team GB’s Mo Farah, gold medallist in the 10,000m, receives a surprise phone call from his school PE teacher on Victoria Derbyshire’s 5 Live show and we hear from Andy Murray prior to the Olympics, who told a live audience how he was hoping to put his poor performance in Beijing behind him. Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis take an alternative look at women’s boxing on Radio 4’s The Now Show and 100m champion Usain Bolt’s fellow Jamaican and on the track rival Yohan Blake gives an insight into the dyna...
Aug 07, 2012•32 min
Rowing pair Heather Stanning and Helen Glover end Great Britain’s five-day wait for Olympic gold while BBC Radio 2’s Simon Mayo gets carried away cheering on Team GB’s cycling sprint team. Sir Chris Hoy speaks about the unique design of the London Velodrome where he achieved his fifth Olympic gold medal. Seven-time Olympic medallist Bradley Wiggins speaks to Colin Murray about coping with the pressures of winning. After Chinese swimming star Ye Shiwen’s world record win at women's 400m individua...
Aug 03, 2012•30 min
Comedians Rhod Gilbert and Lloyd Langford reflect on the Opening Ceremony of the London Games while singer Alex Trimble speaks about performing during the lighting of the cauldron. Ahead of Rebecca Adlington’s attempt to defend her Olympic 800m freestyle title, she reveals her thoughts on setting world record in Beijing and BBC Radio Nottingham speak to her fans in Mansfield. South African Caster Semenya returns to the Olympics after having her gender questioned at the World Athletic Champions...
Aug 01, 2012•30 min
Can David Rudisha dominate the 800 metres and finally achieve Olympic gold after missing out on Beijing through injury. Richard Bacon is joined by Olympian Michael Johnson and guests to discuss what may become the most competitive Olympic 100 meters race ever if Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay all run. As the rift between the BOA and triple jumper Phillips Idowu grows, UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee reveals why he will not be apologising. In a final London Calling, Eleanor Ol...
Jul 27, 2012•27 min
After Bradley Wiggins’ historic win of the Tour de France, Team GB cyclist Emma Pooley speaks about going for gold. BBC World Service investigates how top Muslim athletes are coping with the rigours of training and fasting as Ramadan falls over the Olympic fortnight. Tickets for wheelchair rugby or ‘murderball’ as it was originally known sold out in record time but can Team GB capitalise on the home advantage? After six years of planning and in the face of a strike by border agency staff, Minist...
Jul 24, 2012•30 min
The Olympic Village will be home to 16,000 athletes and officials during the course of the Games but is it all work and no play? Eleanor Oldroyd finds out about the more steamy side of life in the Village. Judo star Ashley McKenzie reveals how his bad behavior nearly saw him miss the Olympics. Six-time Olympian archer Alison Williamson returns to her old primary school in Shropshire, while four-time Olympian Steve Backley tells BBC Radio Kent about his predictions for the Team GB medal haul. Wil...
Jul 20, 2012•30 min
Lord Seb Coe, London 2012 chairman tells BBC 5 Live that Olympic security will not be compromised despite the contractor G4S’s failure to provide sufficient staff. As Britain’s Team Sky lead at the Tour de France, will they be able to recover in just five days to compete at the Olympics? Can Zara Phillips overcome her previous bad luck and make her Olympic eventing debut on her new horse High Kingdom? Radio 4 satirical “The Now Show” helps the young people digest all the latest news about the Lo...
Jul 17, 2012•29 min
Among the host of international athletes making their final preparations at the Aviva London Grand Prix is one of the hottest favourites for Olympic gold - Australian 100m hurdler Sally Pearson. How will the international superstars cope with ‘traditional’ British summer weather? Team USA sprinter Carmelia Jeter, world triple jump champion Christian Taylor and former world 5000m champion Bernard Lagat join Eleanor Oldroyd to give their views. Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang reveals the weight of expec...
Jul 13, 2012•29 min
Andy Murray and Jonathan Marray weren’t the only British finalists at Wimbledon, Jordanne Whiley also made history as part of the first all-British wheelchair tennis pair to make the final. Team GB hockey star Jonty Clarke explains why he values the public pressure and expectation attached to a home Games. After Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls was named in the British men's basketball squad for the Olympics, BBC Leicester’s John Sinclair speaks to Team GB captain Andrew Sullivan and head coach Ch...
Jul 10, 2012•26 min
After the announcement of the Team GB Athletics squad, 18-year old sprinter Adam Gemili spoke his joy and surprise at his inclusion; 800m runner Lynsey Sharp on her controversial selection despite recording only a B qualifying time this season, and hurdler Andy Turner expresses relief after being named in the squad. Breaking records and gaining glory is the aim of every Olympian but who will make history this year? Usain Bolt was the icon of the 2008 games but after being beaten by his training ...
Jul 06, 2012•29 min
Spain maybe European Champions but Britain is looking forward to securing an Olympic gold in the football at the London Games. Team GB manager Stuart Pearce justifies his decision not to pick David Beckham for the squad but not everyone agrees, as former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson tells 5 Live’s Garry Richardson. After the men’s 4x100m relay failed to pass the baton at the European Athletics Championships, Olympian Derek Redmond reflects poor British technique, and Christian Malcolm spe...
Jul 03, 2012•30 min
As the US Olympic swimming trials get underway, the legendary Michael Phelps speaks about his comeback and rivalry with fellow American Ryan Lochte. Eleanor Oldroyd, former tennis player Mark Woodford and hurdler Jack Green discuss if athletes should take part in Olympic opening ceremony. Everton goalkeeper Rachel Brown and Colin Murray discuss how pregnancy impacts on sporting careers. An emotional BBC Sheffield witnesses the most severely injured solider ever, former paratrooper Ben Parkinson,...
Jun 29, 2012•29 min
After years of training, last weekend the UK Olympic trials for track and field took place in Birmingham. BBC 5 Live's Sonja McLaughlan was trackside to speak to a delighted Shara Proctor about her new British record, a disappointed Jessica Ennis who had five no-jumps out of six attempts at the long jump and high jumper Robbie Grabarz. Mo Farah explains to 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire why he pulled out of the 1,500 metres at the UK trails. In total, a staggering 175,000 sports kits will be hande...
Jun 26, 2012•29 min
After four years of intensive training, this weekend’s Aviva 2012 athletic trials will decide which track and field athletes will make Team GB. The competition is expected to be fierce as Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener told BBC London. European Champion hurdler Andy Turner and British long jump record holder Chris Tomlinson joined “London Calling” to reveal what its like to room with other athletes in the Olympic village. BBC 5 Live’s “Colin Murray’s Gold Run” learns how Sir Chris Hoy gai...
Jun 22, 2012•30 min
Great Britain's rowers enjoyed mixed fortunes in the last competition before the Olympics, winning three golds but seeing two leading hopes beaten. Jonathan Legard speaks to a disappointed Greg Searle after the men’s eight only managed to secure a bronze medal. After the Canoe Slalom World Cup, David Florence tells BBC World Service how it felt to make history by becoming the first man to win two gold medals across two classes. Team GB’s Alex Stott speaks about her career in football. BBC Radio ...
Jun 19, 2012•28 min
As the Olympic torch tours the beautiful cities, highlands and islands of Scotland, Bryan Burnett marvels at the joyous atmosphere surrounding the torch relay while Fred MacAuley speaks to some of the Scottish torch bearers. World Taekwando number one Aaron Cook reveals how he feels “cheated and robbed” by BOA’s decision to ratify his exclusion from Team GB. Paralympian Georgina Bullen speaks to BBC Three Counties’ Gail Emms and Luke Ashmead about goalball, a sport which takes place in total sil...
Jun 15, 2012•30 min
Team GB diver and European Champion Tom Daley speaks to Radio 2’s Steve Wright about his physical and mental preparation going into the London Games. Young British rower Moe Sbihi discusses joining the highly competitive men’s eight boat, and balancing his faith with Olympic training. BBC Radio Lancashire’s documentary “Olympic God Special” investigates how athletes juggle the logistics of harsh training regimes, blood testing and dietary requirements with their religious beliefs. Colin Murray h...
Jun 12, 2012•30 min
This week, additional tickets to London 2012 went on sale amidst slow ticket sales, Paul Deighton Chief Executive of LOCOG spoke to 5 Live Breakfast to defend the ticketing process. Sir Steve Redgrave on Team GB's rowing hopes as the final squad is announced and tennis star Venus Williams speaks about her desire for another Olympic medal. 5 Live's Olympic Question Time brings together a panel of special guests in Hackney to debate the major issues surrounding the Games. Six months ago Adam Gemil...
Jun 08, 2012•30 min
This week, showjumper Tim Stockdale speaks about his amazing recovery just seven months after he broke his neck in a riding accident. Team GB Taekwondo Performance Director Gary Hall defends the decision to omit European Champion Aaron Cook from the Team GB squad in favour of Lutalo Muhammad. Defending Olympic champion Christine Ohuruguo on her preparations to defend her 400 metres title this summer, Jessica Ennis celebrates her new British heptathlon record and swimmer Liam Tancock speaks about...
Jun 01, 2012•27 min
In a week where Olympic excitement finally arrived in Great Britain, we hear from a gripped BBC Devon as the Olympic cauldron is lit for the first time in Plymouth. BMX champion Liam Phillips speaks about his return to the sport on the eve of the World BMX Championships in Birmingham. South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius tells 5 Live’s Shelagh Fogarty about his extraordinary efforts to qualify for both the Paralympic and the Olympics. BBC Ulster’s science programme “What Next?” looks at ...
May 25, 2012•29 min
This week, the Olympic flame began its 70-day relay around the UK. BBC Sports Editor David Bond discussed the build-up to the Games with former Olympian Princess Anne at the official ceremony in Athens. Team GB heptathlete Jessica Ennis speaks about balancing her preparations for the Olympics with her public profile. Leicester Riders director Kevin Routledge speaks to BBC Radio Leicester about the fate of British basketball; paralympian Danny Nobbs tells BBC Radio Norfolk about the logistics of ...
May 18, 2012•30 min
