On this special episode of Blind Landing, we're stepping away from figure skating and going back to the world of gymnastics to bring you Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun. Illia tells us about what it's been like to compete during the invasion of Ukraine and the story of how politics found it's way onto the competition floor.
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Ukrainian Gymnast Illia Kovtun & The Story Behind The Photo Seen Around The World

Blind Landing is an award-winning independent documentary podcast. The series goes behind the scenes in the world of elite sports. Season one, which looked at safety in gymnastics. was named one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2021 and was a 2022 Webby Awards honoree. Season two, an anthology about identity and discrimination in figure skating, was a 2022 AIPS Sports Media Awards nominee and won the 2023 Ambie Award for Best Independent Podcast. Blind Landing has been featured in dozens of publications around the world, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture and Elle.

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The making of Rebeca Andrade, one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and a comeback unlike any other.
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The Improbable Comeback of Rebeca Andrade

For many Asian Americans, seeing Kristi Yamaguchi win the gold in women’s figure skating at the 1992 Olympics was everything. She was more than a famous athlete — she was one of the few Asian Americans on TV, period. Yet for Kristi, the polished, glamorous image that we all saw was very different from her experience on the inside. From her choice to skate solo to seeking endorsements in an anti-Asian climate, reporter Stefanie Ritoper looks at the moments that almost stopped Kristi from becoming the Kristi Yamaguchi that we all know.
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Kristi Yamaguchi: Asian American Idol

Mabel Fairbanks changed figure skating forever. As a Black figure skater in the 1940s, Mabel made a name for herself skating in ice shows all over the world — but was barred from entering competitions because of the color of her skin. Mabel made it her life’s mission to get Black skaters into the sport and to reach the highest peaks. Using excerpts of interviews with Mabel never before heard by the public, we’re bringing you not just the story of Mabel Fairbanks, but Mabel herself — her voice, in her own words.
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Mabel Fairbanks: Beyond The Edge

“Out On The Ice” concludes with the story of Adam Rippon, the first out skater to represent the US at the Olympics, and a new generation of queer skaters determined to change the culture of their sport.
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Ukrainian Gymnast Illia Kovtun & The Story Behind The Photo Seen Around The World

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