U.S. wrestler Jordan Burroughs joins viral gymnast Katelyn Ohashi for an in-depth chat. Jordan won Olympic gold in 2012 but suffered a huge shock at Rio 2016 when he came away empty handed. The pair talk what defines success and failure and why he’s gunning for glory in a different manner now. LINKS Jordan Burroughs Instagram Katelyn Ohashi Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Olympic Channel Instagram Simone Biles Podcast Everything you need to know about the 2019 Wrestling World Championships...
Sep 11, 2019•22 min
British boxer Frazer Clarke missed out on the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. Now, after being stabbed three times in 2016, he has a renewed focus and determination. He aims to continue the success of British Olympic medallists Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce in the superheavyweight division. LINKS: Frazer Clarke Instagram Alessandro Poggi Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter Olympic Channel Instagram Ramla Ali podcast episode Joe Joyce Sports Swap...
Sep 04, 2019•24 min
He’s broken over 15 bones, ruptured his spleen, and suffered several concussions. Tory Nyhaug still wants to get his hands on an Olympic medal. With anxiety so bad he literally felt like his skin was ‘on fire’, the Canadian BMX racer opens up about depression and his hopes for Tokyo 2020. LINKS: Tory Nyhaug Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Is It Possible?...
Aug 28, 2019•20 min
We caught up with the history-making four-time Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles at her gym in Houston for an exclusive interview. We also spoke to Olympic champ Nastia Liukin about why she thinks Biles is the greatest of all time. LINKS: Simone Biles Instagram Nastia Liukin Instagram Scott Bregman Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter Kristie Phillips episode All Around episode 1 Subcribe to the podcast...
Aug 21, 2019•22 min
You have to be pretty fearless to climb up the 900m of El Capitan without any ropes. Alex Honnold from the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Free Solo’ joined the Olympic Channel Podcast to talk climbing at the Olympics, how to manage risk, and what really scares him. “If you fall off the wall, you're going to die… “I think that when people see a photo of El Cap (they think it’s) risky. That's not the right way to look at it. It's extremely high consequence.” LINKS: Alex Honnold Instagram Ed Knowles Tw...
Aug 14, 2019•27 min
In 1986, there was a Sports Illustrated cover. In 1987, there was a U.S. national title. In 1988, the world expected to see Kristie Phillips at the Olympic Games. It never happened. The media speculated it was because she had gained weight . Distraught and devastated, she stepped away from the sport for nearly a decade. In the end, Phillips returned to competition, made her peace with the sport, and now is a respected gymnastics judge. On the eve of the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Scott ...
Aug 07, 2019•28 min
With just 12 months to go until Tokyo 2020, we set ourselves a task. How many interviews can you squeeze into a podcast? The Olympic Channel Podcast went to New York with UCLA gymnast and viral sensation Katelyn Ohashi. In a crazy day, we spoke to Ali Krieger , Ashlyn Harris , Tom Schaar , Brighton Zeuner , Ashima Shiraishi , Alex Johnson , Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson , and Naya Tapper . LINKS: Katelyn Ohashi Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Olympic Channel Instagram Free Solo trailer Try our Instag...
Jul 31, 2019•29 min
It’s officially one year to go until Tokyo 2020. We invited Olympic champion pole vaulter from Greece Katerina Stefanidi on the podcast with her husband and coach Mitchell Krier. We spoke about how they met, why Katerina struggles with self-belief, and her plans for the World Championships in Doha. Plus, we put their dedication to each other to the test with a game about her star sign. LINKS: Katerina Stefanidi on Instagram Mitch Krier on Instagram Olympic Channel on Instagram Ed Knowles on Twit...
Jul 24, 2019•33 min
South African swimmer Chad Le Clos is one of the few swimmers to beat Michael Phelps at the Olympics. He took gold in the 200m butterfly in 2012. Chad is determined to be mentioned amongst the greats. Rami Anis has been selected for the Tokyo 2020 Refugee Olympic Team. He escaped war in Syria and always held on tightly to his dream of making the Olympics. LINKS Chad Le Clos Instagram Rami Anis Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Andrew Binner Twitter Yusra Mardini episode Everything you need to know ab...
Jul 17, 2019•27 min
Olympic champions Adam Peaty and Katinka Hosszu say becoming a world record holder is all to do with their mental preparation. As we celebrate our 100th episode, we find out what sets apart two of the world’s very best swimmers ahead of the FINA World Championships. LINKS: Adam Peaty Instagram Katinka Hosszu Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Andrew Binner Twitter Ten of the most motivational episodes of the podcast Everything you need to know about the FINA Aquatics World Championships A day-by-day g...
Jul 10, 2019•30 min
Andrea Fuentes has a difficult task. She is hoping to use her experience, as a four-time synchronised swimming Olympic medallist, to qualify an American team to the Olympics. The U.S. hasn’t entered a team since Beijing 2008. The country used to dominate the sport – can they beat the odds and reach Tokyo 2020? “We are doing in five months what others took years to achieve,” said Fuentes. Ahead of the Pan American Games and the FINA World Aquatics Championships, we follow a coaching team determin...
Jul 03, 2019•20 min
They are one of Canada’s big medal hopes for the FINA World Championships 2019. The diving pair are big friends in and out of the swimming pool. After two fourth place finishes at Rio 2016, Jennifer Abel needed the help of a new partner to put the ‘dark thoughts’ to one side. Melissa Citrini has made diving more fun for Abel. We talk Olympic goals and karaoke songs with the pair (singing included). LINKS Jennifer Abel on Instagram Melissa Citrini on Instagram Ed Knowles on Twitter Scott Bregman ...
Jun 26, 2019•24 min
Breaking legend B-Boy Moy was carrying a pistol to school the day his life changed. He discovered breaking at a talent show. After winning countless awards and contests, he’s now a big advocate for taking the sport to the next level: the Olympic Games. We spoke to Moy Rivas about his devotion to dance, hip hop, and positivity. LINKS: All you need to know about the Breaking World Championships B-Boy Moy Instagram Ed Knowles Twitter Why Olympic Skateboarding will be awesome...
Jun 18, 2019•22 min
Women’s skateboarding, the ultra-competitive USA team, and core skating. There’s a lot to talk about as the countdown to the Olympics is officially on for skateboarding with qualification already underway. We caught up with Dashawn Jordan and Jenn Soto to talk gender equality and equal pay in skating. Plus, will we ever see skateboarding at the Paralympics? Oscar Loreto Jr and Aaron Wheelz Fotheringham are hoping to make that dream a reality. LINKS USA Skateboarding Instagram Dashawn Jordan Inst...
Jun 12, 2019•21 min
We have travelled the world to find the best football stories ahead of the WWC in France. There are two exclusive interviews with senior FIFA officials: Fatma Samoura (Secretary General) and Sarai Bareman (Chief Women’s Football Officer). Plus, we went to Malaga to speak to refugee Ode Fulutudilu about her call up to the South Africa squad. We also took a trip to Orlando, USA, to speak to Jamaican teenager Jody Brown on playing against her idols. LINKS Ada Hegerberg episode Ed Knowles on Twitter...
Jun 05, 2019•30 min
His vision became impaired but it meant earning a shot at his dream: representing his country at Tokyo 2020. British judoka Elliot Stewart had given up on following his father’s footsteps to become an Olympian. When he lost his sight, he lost his job and was unsure of his direction in life. Stewart returned to judo, came third at the World Championships, and looks to be a strong candidate for the British Paralympic team. “I lost my vision. But I can do the sport that I love. And go to the place ...
May 29, 2019•25 min
John McAvoy is an Ironman triathlete. The first part of his life was spent in prison or committing serious crime. Now, he’s broken world records in indoor rowing and had top-level meetings with the UK government the UK government. McAvoy vowed to change his ways when his friend died in a car chase. He left behind a criminal life of chasing money to focus on motivating and inspiring people. “If you gave me the option between winning a gold medal at the Olympics, or sacrificing my whole athletic c...
May 22, 2019•47 min
The Norwegian striker is going for her fourth consecutive Champions League title and has broken goal records consistently. The Olympic Channel Podcast found out about why she’s passionate about equality in women’s football, her Ballon d’Or win, and her ambitions with club Olympique Lyonnais. LINKS Ada Hegerberg Instagram Nicklas Vinde Twitter Ed Knowles Twitter...
May 15, 2019•24 min
Depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder all disrupted the dreams of American figure skater Gracie Gold. She won two US National titles as a teenager and took an Olympic bronze medal home from Sochi 2014. But in 2017 she withdrew from competition to seek treatment for her mental health. Gracie is now taking a day-by-day approach to recovery as she explains in this honest, open, and raw interview. LINKS: Gracie Gold on Instagram Evgenia Medvedeva, Jason Brown and Brian Orser episode Ed Knowles...
May 08, 2019•33 min
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 ...
May 01, 2019•27 min
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. LINKS Everything you need to know about the 2019 ICU World Cheerleading Championships Ed Knowles on Twitter...
Apr 24, 2019•15 min
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...
Apr 17, 2019•21 min
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 Marathon Olympians hail "incredible experience" of running a marathon in Pyongyang Sarah Sellers on Instagram Ed Knowles on Twitter...
Apr 10, 2019•29 min
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 skat...
Apr 03, 2019•31 min
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 . LINKS John Orozco podcast Katelyn Ohashi...
Mar 27, 2019•31 min
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...
Mar 20, 2019•23 min
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 ha...
Mar 13, 2019•30 min
It’s something to tell your mum about – winning a national championship. But Ramla Ali preferred to keep her boxing career secret. She was a refugee from Somalia who discovered boxing in London’s East End. “My mum… in her eyes to be a good Muslim girl you have to be fully covered. But I think just different things work for different people.” We visited her gym in London to talk family secrets and representing Somalia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. LINKS: Ramla Ali Instagram Andrew Binner Twitter Ed...
Mar 06, 2019•28 min
Battling online harassment, body image and busting stereotypes with Madison de Rozario
Feb 27, 2019•25 min
Kristina Vogel, one of the world’s very best female track cyclists, won her record-breaking 11th title at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Four months later, she was paralysed and in a wheelchair. A junior Dutch cyclist was practising standing starts when Vogel crashed into him at full speed. The double Olympic champion feels no resentment. “I don’t need to forgive (the person because) I have no anger about him.” She doesn’t know if her family feels the same. “I have never asked t...
Feb 20, 2019•23 min
