It's time for another Olympic Fever Book Club episode, which means a great conversation with our friend Book Club Claire ! Today we're talking about "The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold" by Joy Goodwin. This book documents the judging scandal around the 2002 Olympic pairs figure skating competition, which resulted in a whole new system of judging. If you want to see these pairs' programs from Salt Lake City 2002, we've got them right here: Salé & Pelletier -...
May 02, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 83
The Lightning Round is back! We pose the same questions to our guests; you'll be fascinated by their answers. This time we're joined by the dulcet tones of wrestling announcer Jason Bryant, sustainability expert Matthew Campelli (or, as we prefer to call him, MCamp) and U.S. Olympic Committee archivist Teri Hedgpeth . We also have some information on tickets for Tokyo 2020.....or at least a sympathetic article on how confusing the process is. That said, if you're living in Japan, your ticket lot...
Apr 25, 2019•39 min•Ep. 82
Professional athletes make a boatload of money, right? Well, not most American Olympians. They rely on agents like this week's guest Jesse Lichtenberg, founder of JL Management, to help them get exposure to their sport and their endeavors -- and hopefully land some deals that will lift them above the poverty line. Jesse talks with us about being an agent to sliders--luge, bobsled and skeleton--and what you need to be a successful agent (hint: killer negotiating skills are just part of the puzzle...
Apr 18, 2019•50 min•Ep. 81
This week we wondered just how well the IOC is doing in its sustainable initiatives -- they talk the talk, but are they walking the walk? To help us understand the issues better, we're joined by Matthew Campelli, editor of The Sustainability Report , an online publication that looks at sports and the ways major events and teams are adding sustainable elements to combat climate change and improve working conditions around the world. Matthew tells us when the IOC's and various Games Organizing Com...
Apr 11, 2019•51 min•Ep. 80
Download this episode! This week we're talking with another Gamesmaker -- the people behind the scenes who keep things running. At the International Shooting Sports Federation, for decades that woman has been Grace Hahn, the Executive Assistant to the Federation President, who has also been a member of the IOC. Grace dishes on what the Olympics are like from the federation side and what it's like to interpret some of the tougher conversations that happen at the Olympics. Grace has a blog with he...
Apr 04, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 79
The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board met for a couple of days this week. We give you the lowdown on their agenda (warning: there is breakdancing talk). Plus, we've got a huge slice of TOFU, including your opportunity to meet biathlete Clare Egan this weekend in Jericho, VT at a clinic for girls that's designed to introduce them to the sport. Also, USA Cycling has set up a fund in honor of recently deceased cyclist Kelly Catlin. You can learn more about it here . Don't forget tha...
Mar 28, 2019•38 min•Ep. 78
After the tragic death of Olympian Kelly Catlin, we wanted to talk to someone about sports psychology and try to understand some of the mental challenges elite athletes face. Sport and Performance Psychologist Dr. Kristin Keim of Keim Performance Consulting joins us to explain the field of sports psychology, how athletes use it for improving performance, and how they use it when it's time to retire. You can find Kristin at Keim Performance Consulting and follow her online: Facebook Insta LinkedI...
Mar 21, 2019•50 min•Ep. 77
We’re less than 500 days away from the start of Tokyo 2020, so we thought it would be fun to look back at the last Games held in Tokyo and compare the two. Tokyo 1964 was special for many advances, both for the Games and for the country of Japan–it’s interesting to note those changes and wonder how we’ll experience with the next Summer Games. Plus, we have a lot of TOFU (which includes Jill, surprisingly), as well as other Olympic news, including this Kickstarter about a Munich 1972 design book....
Mar 15, 2019•45 min•Ep. 76
We’re less than 500 days away from the start of Tokyo 2020, so we thought it would be fun to look back at the last Games held in Tokyo and compare the two. Tokyo 1964 was special for many advances, both for the Games and for the country of Japan–it’s interesting to note those changes and wonder how we’ll experience with the next Summer Games. Plus, we have a lot of TOFU (which includes Jill, surprisingly), as well as other Olympic news, including this Kickstarter about a Munich 1972 design book....
Mar 14, 2019•47 min•Ep. 76
Alison is back, so we're doing a deeper dive on the new sports proposed for Paris 2024. Last October, we talked with The Sports Examiner 's editor Rich Perelman about the proliferation of sports in the Olympics, so we're bringing you that conversation. Plus some TOFU and news from Tokyo 2020. Check out Rich's publication and follow him on Twitter and Facebook . DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympi...
Mar 07, 2019•46 min•Ep. 75
Jill's flying solo this week, but that gives us more time for the start of our exploration of the new Olympic sports on the Tokyo 2020 program. This week we're talking with sport climber (and American Ninja Warrior competitor!) Josh Levin. Josh talks with us about the 3 disciplines of sport climbing: speed, bouldering and lead climbing. We knew it was a physically tough sport, but the mental game and the cooperation among athletes is also incredibly impressive. Follow Josh online: Website Twitte...
Mar 01, 2019•53 min•Ep. 74
It's Part 2 of our interview with diver Laura Wilkinson! She talks about earning the gold in Sydney while having a broken foot, then also about Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 -- and now her potential comeback for Tokyo 2020. Plus, Paris 2024 has announced the new sports it wants to put on the program -- this could b-interesting (if you know what we mean). And Indonesia wants to bid for 2032! Follow Laura online: Website Hope Sports Podcast Facebook Instagram Twitter Photo courtesy of Laura Wilkinson....
Feb 21, 2019•56 min•Ep. 73
Book Club Claire is BACK! Join us for our discussion of David Maraniss' Rome 1960: The Olympics that Changed the World . Follow Claire on Twitter and check out her Olympics blog -- she's got some great entries from the US Curling National Champs and the US Figure Skating National Champs, both of which she attended! Our next book selection will be The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold by Joy Goodwin. Buy a hardcover , paper copy or Kindle version through these link...
Feb 15, 2019•59 min•Ep. 72
We have a legend in the house this week! It's part one of our interview with Sydney 2000 gold medalist Laura Wilkinson. In this episode Laura explains how the sport works -- and something unusual that a lot of divers have in common. Follow Laura: Facebook Insta Twitter Website She also has her own inspirational podcast called Hope Sports where she interviews athletes about their journeys on and off the field, their successes and their struggles. We highly recommend it! We also talked about that ...
Feb 08, 2019•35 min•Ep. 71
If you're an Olympics buff, you likely have some souvenirs lying around, but Teri Hedgpeth gets to work with one amazing Olympic collection. Teri's the first Archivist for the U.S. Olympic Committee, and she talks with us about what she walked into when she started the job (it has to do with basement storage), some of the unique items in the collection (including a Marshall Islands $75 coin) and how she gets donations. If you're on LinkedIn, follow Teri - she regularly posts pictures of interest...
Feb 01, 2019•58 min•Ep. 70
It's another Listener Request episode! On a blustery October day, Jill went to Long Island, NY to take in the US 30K Race Walking National Championships, where she chatted with several of the judges, including Gary Westerfield and Maryanne Daniel to learn more about this very misunderstood sport and how magical it can be. No, seriously--it's way cooler than the media makes it out to be every four years. Plus, we've got a big heaping of TOFU of ice! Thank you to all of our patrons that signed up ...
Jan 24, 2019•59 min•Ep. 69
It's going to be Milano-Cortina vs. Stockholm-Åre for the right to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. This week we talk about the two bids and start pondering which will win the IOC's vote come June 24-26. The IOC also recently published an essay on how it wants to evolve the Games for future generations. This was interesting because it likely signals a change in the Olympic program. We've got some listener feedback about this and talk about the sports that could be in danger. DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® i...
Jan 17, 2019•48 min•Ep. 68
This week we're going back in time a little bit when Marketing didn't have the power of social media that it does today. In the 1990s, Olympic marketing was focused more around the event itself rather than making it an event consumers thought about regularly. Then came marketers like our guest Stuart Sheldon, who thought about ways to integrate sponsors and National Governing Bodies and the Olympics like never before. Hear about the transformation that took place in the world of sports marketing...
Jan 10, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 67
Our very first Team Olympic Fever member Josh Williamson joins us to tell us how life's been during his first year as a bobsledder and what's on tap for this season. We also talk about our holiday gifts -- if you got something cool and Olympic related, share it in our Facebook Group! DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olym...
Jan 03, 2019•29 min•Ep. 66
It's a holiday week, so we're bringing you another set of Olympian Lightning Round interviews for your enjoyment. This week we've got hurdler Dawn Harper Nelson, water polo player Tony Azevedo and shotgun shooter Kim Rhode. Happy New Year! DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast ...
Dec 27, 2018•21 min•Ep. 65
When you need Olympic-caliber hockey ice, you get the best in the world. For the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics, Adam Stirn got the call to be an ice technician at the ice hockey venue, where he drove the Zamboni on a nightly basis. Learn what makes good hockey ice, and just how difficult it is to drive a Zamboni! DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and com...
Dec 20, 2018•43 min•Ep. 64
"Scouting Camp: The Next Olympic Hopeful" came back for another season, and we've got another winner on the show! Lindsey Mayo, winner and Olympic hopeful in rugby, joins us to talk about her experiences on the show. We also check in with season 1 winner Josh Williamson, who appeared on this season. Plus, a lot of TOFU--and a most inspired Christmas gift. You can follow Lindsey on Twitter . Our friend Josh is on social at: Insta Twitter Also, we've been making our own appearances! Listen to us o...
Dec 13, 2018•48 min•Ep. 63
This past weekend could've been d-day for boxing and weightlifting. The IOC Executive Board met to determine whether or not those two sports should remain on the Olympic Program for Tokyo 2020. Weightlifting seems to be making improvements, but the IOC decided to put a freeze on boxing. What does that mean? Jill and Alison delve into what's going on within the AIBA, boxing's international federation. Like this controversy from Seoul 1988. The freeze could potentially be a good situation. After a...
Dec 06, 2018•48 min•Ep. 62
Kim Rhode is back on the show to talk about her Olympic experiences. She's got one of the most storied Olympic careers, having competed in 6 Olympics, having to learn a new event midway through, and earning a medal at each one of them. She's got some great stories, from fun in the Olympic Village at Atlanta, to having her son watch her compete in Rio. We also recap "Scouting Camp: The Next Olympic Hopeful" Season 2, which was on over the weekend, and we have some Team Olympic Fever updates. Kim ...
Nov 29, 2018•44 min•Ep. 61
It's Thanksgiving Day weekend in the US, which means Jill and Alison are busy carbo loading (well, to be fair, Jill's doing a 5K too). This week we debut a recurring segment: The Lightning Round. In recent months we've asked our interviewees the same 5 questions. Hear how Olympic judo coach Jimmy Pedro , Olympic rower Tessa Gobbo and Olympic swimmer John Naber answer them. It's perfect listening while you wait to baste your turkey or prepare other Thanksgiving foods....and if this isn't your hol...
Nov 22, 2018•25 min•Ep. 60
Legend in the house! 6x Olympian and 6x Olympic medalist Kim Rhode joins us to explain how the Olympic shotgun events work. But first! We have a correction on the Hollywood version of the Blood in the Water polo match between Hungary and the USSR at the 1956 Olympics. Quentin Tarantino was the producer behind the documentary "Freedom's Fury," which was narrated by Mark Spitz. Plus, there is a Hungarian movie (which Jill vaguely remembered finding but couldn't do so quickly) called "Children of G...
Nov 15, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 59
We're jumping in the pool to talk with 5x Olympian Tony Azevedo about the sport of water polo. This is another sport that's no joke -- did you know it's the only sport that develops certain muscles in your feet? Tony gives us the lowdown on techniques, controversies with hand gluing and ball deflation, and what it's like to be in the Croatian celebrity press. Also, the US Olympic Committee has de-sanctioned USA Gymnastics as a National Governing Body. We talk about the ramifications and timing o...
Nov 08, 2018•53 min•Ep. 58
Book Club Claire is back to discuss Lopez Lomong’s book “Running for my Life: One Lost Boy’s Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games.” Lopez has had a remarkable life so far: He was kidnapped by Sudanese rebel fighters, escaped that situation with people he called his “angels,” spent most of his childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp, and was chosen to move to the United States where he developed his running talents and earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012. ...
Nov 01, 2018•51 min•Ep. 57
Hurdling great Dawn Harper Nelson is BACK! This week she talks with us about gold at Beijing 2008, silver at London 2012, and a heartbreaking 2016 US Olympic trials. Plus, we’ve got TOFU, a Tokyo 2020 update, and an opportunity for you to help the Beijing 2022 Games. Also, Jill and Alison discuss who would win in a mascot race. Here are Dawn’s races — once you listen to the show, check out the London race again and see if you see what Dawn’s talking about. Beijing London The 2016 Olympic Trials ...
Oct 25, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 56
Dawn Harper Nelson, gold medalist at Beijing 2008 and silver medalist at London 2012 in the 100m hurdles, explains how to approach a hurdle race. Plus, Jill has a startling confession--or perhaps you'd call it a b-confession . So many links for you this week. First off, follow Dawn: Twitter: @DHarp100mH Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dharp100mh/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dawnharpernelson www.dawnharpernelson.com Some of the videos of her that we mentioned on the show: Watch her do some ...
Oct 18, 2018•55 min•Ep. 55
