It's time for another Lightning Round! This week we showcase our "quickfire" questions with three athletes who were in the mix for going to Beijing 2022: Wheelchair curler Steve Emt, doubles luger Jayson Terdiman and biathlete Clare Egan. Learn about their earliest memories of the Games and their favorite souvenirs. Visit Steve's website: http://www.steveemt.com Follow Steve on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.emt Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/stephen.emt LinkedIn: http:/...
Apr 14, 2022•24 min•Ep. 232
Now that we're back from Beijing 2022, we're able to restart our history segment. This year we're focusing on the Albertville 1992 Winter Games, and what better way to reboot this bit than by chatting with ski historian Tom Kelly. Tom shares some of the big skiing stories of these Games, including the demonstration sport that turned deadly. Plus, the Paris 2024 Olympic schedule has been released. We take a look at the amazing weekend of sports it's slated to have. Have you wondered how much it c...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 231
It's Part 2 of our contributor roundtable with Book Club Claire and Superfan Sarah, with more hot takes on the Beijing 2022 Olympics and Paralympics. Plus, Jill has a story she's been waiting seven weeks to tell. Heading to TKFLASTAN to check in on Team Keep the Flame Alive, we have news from: Erin Jackson Clare Egan Felicity Passon Kelly Claes Alex Diebold In our Games updates, there's news from: Paris 2024 - that venue plan isn't looking so good now Milan-Cortina 2026 - do we have a leader? Fo...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 230
We are back from Beijing, so it's time to talk about all of the things we couldn't get to while we were in China! Coming along for the fun are contributors Book Club Claire and Superfan Sarah. We talk with them about the US experience vs. the China experience, as well as: More bus issues A scare at the airport The Russia situation The "Green" Games So much security Entering and leaving the warm embrace of the Closed Loop Plus, our regular features are back! We head to TKFLASTAN for news from Tea...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 229
Jill and Alison are on their way home from the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, and a long flight is a perfect time to catch up on movies, so we thought it would be good to have another session of Movie Club with Film Buff Fran. This time, we're talking about the 2015 film "Eddie the Eagle," a biopic on the surprise star of the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics, Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards. How well does it tell Edwards' story? Listen to find out!
Mar 17, 2022•36 min•Ep. 228
Although it seems like they just started, the snowflame has been extinguished, and the Beijing 2022 Paralympics are over. We cover the final day of competition as well as the Closing Ceremonies – how does this show stack up to the rest? Sports on today’s schedule: Para Alpine Skiing – Men’s slalom Para Cross-Country Skiing – Relays Para Ice Hockey – Gold medal game For a transcript of today’s episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1GG RED ENVELOPE CAMPAIGN: This show does cost money to prod...
Mar 13, 2022•48 min
We’re at the penultimate day of the Paralympics, which means we’re at the medal rounds of the team competitions. We’re also saying good-bye to our volunteer friends at the venues—and in Alison’s case, that means taking pictures and signing autographs. Sports on today’s schedule: Para Alpine Skiing – Women’s slalom Para Cross-Country Skiing – 10K/7.5K free Para Ice Hockey – Bronze medal game Wheelchair Curling – Gold medal game For a transcript of today’s episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRt...
Mar 13, 2022•39 min
It’s Day 8 of the Beijing 2022 Paralympics – competition may be winding down, but our adventures in Beijing are certainly not! Jill’s in Beijing for para ice hockey and wheelchair curling, while Alison’s out in Zhangjiakou for an adventure at para snowboard. Sports on today’s schedule: Para Alpine Skiing – Giant slalom Para Biathlon – Men’s and women’s individual Para Ice Hockey – Semifinals and 5th/6th place Para Snowboard – Women’s and men’s banked slalom Wheelchair Curling – Semifinals and br...
Mar 12, 2022•40 min
It’s Day 7 of the Beijing 2022 Paralympics, and well, Jill and Alison lose it over a transportation story. What could have possibly gone wrong this time? Sports on today’s schedule: Para Alpine Skiing – Giant Slalom Wheelchair Curling – End of the round robin tournament For a transcript of today’s episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1GA RED ENVELOPE CAMPAIGN: This show does cost money to produce, and while our listeners have been extremely generous in supporting us through the Kickstarte...
Mar 11, 2022•38 min
It’s Day 6 of the Beijing 2022 Paralympics! Jill and Alison are both in Beijing today for Wheelchair Curling and Para Ice Hockey Playoffs (with Alison’s new Czech friend, who, we find out, does have a name!). Plus, Jill had a fun Shoey Rhon Rhon moment in the mountains that she forgot to mention, and we learn how involved it is to make curling ice. Sports on today’s schedule: Para Cross-Country Skiing – Women’s and men’s sprints Para Ice Hockey – Qualifying finals Wheelchair Curling – Round robi...
Mar 10, 2022•35 min
It’s Day 5 of the Beijing 2022 Paralympics - Jill’s back in the mountains for para biathlon. Alison interviews Shuey Rhon Rhon and has a field day at para ice hockey with her new Czech friend! Sports on today’s schedule: Para Biathlon – Women’s and men’s 10K Para Ice Hockey – Group play Wheelchair Curling – Round robin action For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1Gw RED ENVELOPE CAMPAIGN! This show does cost money to produce, and while our listeners have been extr...
Mar 09, 2022•42 min
Jill has one of her best days up at Zhangjiakou, thanks to para snowboard cross in-house announcer Oscar, and it’s Alison vs. the Mountain in Yangqin. Who will win? Today’s sport schedule includes: Para Alpine Skiing – Super Combined Para Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 20K Classic and women’s 15K Classic Para Snowboard – Cross finals Wheelchair Curling – Round Robin Action For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1Gu RED ENVELOPE CAMPAIGN! This show does cost money to p...
Mar 08, 2022•47 min
Today was Alison’s first trip to Zhangjiakou, and she made an important self-discovery: It’s not the transportation to the venue that’s the issue. Getting around the venue is where she really gets lost. We got to see Paralympic legend Oksana Masters in action today at Para Cross Country Skiing. Today’s schedule includes: Para Alpine Skiing – Super-G Para Cross-Country Skiing – Long Distance – Sitting Para Ice Hockey – Group play Para Snowboard Cross – Qualifications Wheelchair Curling – Round Ro...
Mar 07, 2022•32 min
It’s the first full day of Paralympic competition at Beijing 2022. Jill and Alison scope out the Beijing venues and games, and Alison almost can’t find her way out of the Ice Cube. Sports on today’s schedule: Para Alpine Skiing – Downhill. Paralympian v. the Mountain. Who wins today? Para Biathlon – A big day for Team Ukraine Para Ice Hockey – Some shocking score differentials Wheelchair Curling – Our TKFLASTANI Steve Emt gets started For a transcript of today's episode, visit: https://wp.me/pbR...
Mar 06, 2022•55 min
The Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics are officially open! We break down the Opening Ceremony, including our takes on the performances, the country uniforms and Andrew Parsons' impassioned speech. Get ready for Paralympic fun! For a transcript of this episode, visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1Go Red Envelope campaign! this show does cost money to produce, and while our listeners have been extremely generous in supporting us through the Kickstarter campaign that got us to Beijing and also through Patre...
Mar 05, 2022•54 min
Alison has made it to Beijing just in time for big breaking news from the International Paralympic Committee about the participation of Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) and Belarus in the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics. Plus, Jill covers the torch relay and Alison shares how Beijing is different than other big cities. Red Envelope campaign! this show does cost money to produce, and while our listeners have been extremely generous in supporting us through the Kickstarter campaign that got us t...
Mar 04, 2022•42 min
We have a little bit of time before the Paralympics kicks in, so we wanted to hear from you, our listeners, on what you thought of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Along with our great listener calls -- how do you wean a toddler off of wanting to sing the national anthem ad nauseum? -- we've got another doping positive from Beijing. And we've got news from Paris 2024 and Milan-Cortina 2026. For a transcript of this episode, visit: https://flamealivepod.com/2022/02/23/episode226 Thank you so muc...
Feb 24, 2022•46 min•Ep. 226
The snowflame has been extinguished! The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are over! We've got the results of the final day of competition, including a hot take on whether men should really be competing in long distance cross-country skiing events. Plus our take on the Closing Ceremonies and saying a tearful good-bye to Bing Dwen Dwen. Today's sports schedule includes: Alpine Skiing - Mixed team parallel Bobsled - The end of the 4-man competition Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 30K mass start free Cur...
Feb 21, 2022•52 min
It's the last full day of competition at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics! The mountain is back up to its tricks, we're understanding the speed skating mass start race, and there's drama on the ice. Today's sports schedule includes: Bobsleigh (Bobsled) - beginning of the 4-man; conclusion of the 4-woman Cross-Country Skiing - distance races Curling - Men's gold medal/women's bronze medal Figure Skating - Pairs free skate Freestyle Skiing - Men's freeski halfpipe Ice Hockey - Men's bronze medal g...
Feb 20, 2022•50 min
It's Day 15 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and as the Games winds down, news about the Kamila Valieva situation keeps brewing, thanks to TBach's appearance at the IOC daily press briefing. That didn't tamp down the action on the field of play though, as more medals are on the line for TKFLASTAN today. Sports on today's competition schedule: Biathlon - Women's and men's mass start Bobsleigh - Two-Woman heats Curling - Men's bronze medal match; women's semifinals Figure Skating - Pairs short...
Feb 19, 2022•50 min
It’s Day 14 at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and boy, was it a doozy! Drama in the hockey arena! Drama on the ice! Drama in the Main Media Center during the Magical Hour of Vacuuming! It’s been a wild day at Beijing 2022, and we’ve got all the details. Sports on today’s competition schedule: Alpine Skiing – Women’s Combined Curling – End of the Round Robin tournaments; men’s semifinals Figure Skating – Women’s free program Freestyle Skiing – Women’s and men’s ski halfpipe; women’s ski cross ...
Feb 18, 2022•55 min
It’s Day 13 of the Beijing Winter Olympics! Our TKFLASTANI Clare Egan had her last Olympic race today. How did the US women fare in the biathlon relay? Also, it’s man vs. mountain again on the slopes in Yanqing. Who wins today? Sports on today’s competition schedule: Alpine Skiing – Men’s slalom Biathlon – Women’s relay Cross-Country Skiing – Women’s and men’s team sprint classic Curling – Men’s and women’s round robin Freestyle Skiing – Men’s aerials Ice Hockey – Women’s bronze medal game and m...
Feb 17, 2022•46 min
It's Day 12 of the Beijing Winter Olympics! The drama continues on the skating rink, as reprieved ROC skater Kamila Valieva takes to the ice in the Women's short program. She also skates past all of the doping questions sent her way. Jill reports from the last competition at Big Air, the men’s snowboard. Did the competitors get big air? Nine meters seems pretty big. On today’s competition schedule: Alpine Skiing – Women’s downhill Biathlon – Men’s relay Bobsleigh – 2-man final heats Curling – Me...
Feb 16, 2022•40 min
It’s Day 11 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics! It’s Valentine’s Day, and although love is in the air, not everyone loves the decision on the Kamila Valieva doping situation, which was announced today. There’s still no team medal though, so this story isn’t over. We did have more drama on the ice with the Ice Dancing Free Dance competition. Plus, what are the medal ceremonies like in person? Jill went to some and reports back! Today’s sports schedule includes: Bobsleigh – Women’s Monobob, heats...
Feb 15, 2022•41 min
It’s Day 10 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and TKFLASTAN has made the podium again! TKFLASTANI Erin Jackson competed in the Women's 500m long track speed skating event and won some hardware. What color is it, and (maybe more importantly) did she make Jill cry? It’s a winter wonderland at Beijing 2022, as all three competition sites got snow – which for some competitions, made for a very challenging day indeed. Did the mountain win again? Did the cold and the wind get to the competitors? To...
Feb 14, 2022•53 min
It’s Day 9 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics - and Alison's excited because it's the start of the ice dancing competition. Jill went to it - was it as good as she hoped? Today’s sports schedule includes: Biathlon – Men’s 10K Sprint Cross-Country Skiing – Women’s 4x5K Relay Curling – Men’s and Women’s Tournament Figure Skating – Ice Dancing Rhythm Dance Ice Hockey – Men’s Prelims and Women’s Quarterfinals Skeleton – Women’s Ski Jumping – Men’s Large Hill Snowboard Cross – Mixed Team Speed Skati...
Feb 13, 2022•45 min
It’s Day 8 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and speed is key for today! Today’s sports schedule includes: Alpine Skiing Biathlon – Women’s Sprint with TKFLASTANI Clare Egan Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 15K Classic Curling – Women’s and Men’s tournaments with TKFLASTANI John Shuster Ice Hockey – Men’s prelims and Women’s quarterfinals Skeleton – Men’s finals Ski Jumping – Men’s Large Hill Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Speed Skating – Long Track – Men’s 10000m Speed Skating – Short Track – variou...
Feb 12, 2022•54 min
It's Day 7 from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and skiers are starting to conquer the mountain, rather than the other way around! Plus, Nathan Chen delivered a performance that got Jill and Alison in the feels, and Jill's come up with a new way to rate figure skating. Today's schedule included: Alping Skiing - Men's Combined Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 10K Classic Curling - Men's and Women's tournament Figure Skating - Men's Free Program Freestyle Skiing - Team Aerials Ice Hockey - Men's t...
Feb 11, 2022•43 min
It’s Day 6 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and once again we have the question of who’s the real winner: The mountain, or the Alpine skiers? Plus, it’s not redemption for Lindsey Jacobellis, TKFLASTAN hits the halfpipe, and do we have another version of Elizabeth Swaney? Sports on today’s program: Alpine Skiing – Women’s Slalom Curling – Men’s tournament kicks off Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Big Air Ice Hockey – Men’s prelims Luge – Doubles Nordic Combined – Normal hill Snowboard – Men’s and w...
Feb 10, 2022•55 min
It's another great day of competition from Beijing 2022. Jill went to see figure skating - the men's short program - and the finals of mixed doubles curling. Also on tap today: Alpine Skiing - Super G Biathlon - Men's Individual Freestyle Skiing - Big Air Ice Hockey - Women's prelims Luge - Women's Singles Snowboard - Parallel Giant Slalom Speed Skating Red Envelope campaign! This show does cost money to produce, and while our listeners have been extremely generous in supporting us through the K...
Feb 09, 2022•46 min
