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It would be remiss to talk about anything else right now, so - here it is - a Backstraight episode with neither bells nor whistles: just a discussion of this essential global movement away from racism and towards equality. 

To help us sift through this weighty, complex topic, we're joined by two incredibly knowledgeable former athletes: Chris Lambert - whose impassioned, articulate writing has inspired and educated thousands of people on the topic in recent weeks - and Donna Fraser, whose work as Equality, Diversity & Engagement Lead at British Athletics allows her to shed real light on what's being done at an organisational level to address these issues within the sport we all hold so very dear, but which still has a long way to go.

If you've any questions or thoughts, please get in touch via all the usual places (we're @BackstraightB and @Claire_GThomas, and you can find our guests at @DonnaLegz and @LambsEnglish). We'd love to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, how we can all be actively helping, and the place of athletics within all of this - so please do reach out.

Let's set about writing to MPs, educating ourselves, donating to crucial causes, and - as Donna and Chris urge - empathising more than we've ever managed in the past. We all have a part to play here.

As ever - thanks for listening.

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WHAT a cliff-hanger that was. Aren't we wicked?

But - great news - Bayo is back, and so is Denise, and we're ready to pick up where we left off: approaching the 2000 Olympic Games.

Just in case you don't know how Denise got on in Sydney (although the episode title does contain a slight spoiler in that regard), we won't ruin the surprise here, but her recounting of the competition makes for a cracking listen. That said, the highlight of this episode is probably Lewis' Dolly Parton impression, which has to be heard to be believed. 'Better than her one of Eunice Barber in the last episode..? Surely not!' we heard you cry, but - trust us - it's magnificent.

Denise also discusses injury struggles and her ill-fated trip to Edmonton for the 2001 Worlds, her retirement a few years later, her move into broadcasting, and some of the most memorable moments she's witnessed at championships over the years.

Last, but certainly not least, there's a really quite lengthy chat about the cult-inspiring Denise Lewis Heptathlon game. Don't tell us we don't give you the hard-hitting journalism you want, listeners.

A HUGE 'thank you' to Denise for her time, honesty, humour, and insight: she really was a dreamy guest.

And 'thanks', in advance, to all of you, for those shiny reviews you're going to leave us on your podcast provider. We massively value the feedback, and it helps other people find this series. Go on: scribble something down about how we fill the athletics-shaped hole in your lives right now.

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From Wolverhampton to the top of the podium in Sydney - via a handful of Commonwealth titles and records, a pair of World silvers, a couple of take-off leg changes, and the opportunity to compete against some of the greatest multi-eventers to have ever donned a pair of spikes - Denise Lewis has some cracking stories to tell.

So many, in fact, that she spoke with Bayo for two hours for this interview special, and we made the decision at Backstraight HQ to split their conversation into two instalments. Two episodes, spanning five decades, from the one and only seven-event superstar, Denise. And that's Numberwang.

She discusses her early drive and junior career, her breakthrough at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, missing out on SPOTY to Michael Owen, and a whole lot more besides. Don't worry: she's *just* as honest, humorous, and insightful as she is in her current role as an analyst, and we know you'll love the listen.

Thanks for all the wonderful questions you submitted ahead of time, and for tuning in.

Serving suggestion? Find a quiet place, pour yourself a long Diamond White, sit back, and enjoy. 

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We say this with love - enormous amounts of it - but Christian Taylor is a serious over-achiever. 

Double and reigning Olympic Champion, four-time and reigning World Champion, seven-time and reigning Diamond League Champion, and the second best triple jumper of all time. He's also a 45.07 quarter miler, has a gold medal from the World Relay Championships, and is using his platform and influence to benefit his fellow athletes, through the foundation of The Athletics Association.

OH - and he's also super duper lovely and interesting.

We were chuffed to bits that he took time out of doing lots and lots of things really, really well to come on the podcast - offering wonderful insight into his determination to smash that world record, and how his love of the sport is driving him to want to modernise, protect, and democratise it.

Thank you to all of you who submitted questions for Christian, and to all of you listening now. 

Enjoy, review, subscribe, tweet, give us a follow on Insta, and stay safe.

Christian - you're the man.

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Adam Gemili likes to break records. When he produced a dazzling 9.97 in 2015, he became the first British athlete to dip below the two hallowed barriers of men's sprinting. When he scorched past several of his competitors down the back straight of the Olympic Stadium in the 2017 4x100 final, he helped Great Britain to their first ever global title, and a whopping national record. When his funding was reduced to that of a relay athlete only, he marked his return to form with a championship record at the 2019 British Champs.

We reckon you'll love this interview special, which is with a bona fide world class athlete and proper fan favourite: a hugely talented sprinter who's been bringing smiles to spectators since he burst onto the scene in 2012, having switched from football to the track just that season.

It's not all been sunshine and rainbows, however: Gemili has endured his fair share of disappointment - from recurrent injury troubles to agonising 4th-place finishes at both the Rio Olympics and last year's World Championships. His tearful mixed zone interview after the latter broke hearts nationwide, and he's open about his burning desire to start to clinch individual medals on the global stage.

We talk about all of the above, plus - and this is perhaps the most important question of them all: is there any substance to the viral 'FOOTBALLER RUNS FASTER THAN CHRISTIAN COLEMAN' videos driving track and field fans nuts every few months? If anyone can set the record straight - it's Gemili.

If you enjoy this episode (and we think you will), why not let us know? You can leave us a review via your podcast provider, tweet us (@Claire_GThomas and @BackstraightB), or say 'hi' on Instagram (@BackstraightBoysPodcast).

Stay safe, and thanks for listening. We think you're all brilliant.

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Does Caster Semenya have the raw speed to challenge the world's best over 200 metres? Does Britney Spears..? As the Olympic Games are postponed for the first time in their history, and Mark Dry receives the same length of ban as Ruth Jebet, the world - it seems - has truly gone mad.

The only constant right now is that Mo Farah is embroiled in drama, as a new Panorama documentary airs, and his name makes headlines once more. At least we've something comfortingly familiar in these desperate times, eh? 

Speaking of Farah - do the delayed Games help or hinder his attempts to return to the track? Something tells us not; the new kids on the distance block don't scare easy, and an extra year's mileage in his legs can't be a good thing.

What's fascinating, though, is that the delay *does* help some athletes. Wayde van Niekerk has an extra year to recover from knee surgery. Kirani James and Niamh Emerson have been given more time to return to form. Would Mondo have preferred to have ridden his extraordinary head of steam right to the top of that podium? You betcha, but we've no doubt he'll manage something brilliant out there anyway.

Much to discuss, it seems - even without any athletics taking place.

As per - let us know your thoughts, and come and say a digital 'hi' on Twitter: @BackstraightB & @Claire_GThomas

Enjoy!

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We'll level with you: this might be a middle distance special, but it's the length of a marathon. It's an hour and forty-eight minutes of athletics chat, including four substantial interviews with a quartet of Great Britain's finest current 800 and 1500 metre racers. You could get half way through the responsibly-spaced queue at your local Tesco's in that time.

'The optimal length for a podcast episode is between 40 and 50 minutes', the received wisdom will tell you. 

Well, we've a few responses to that:

1) You've nothing better to do right now. You've either cancelled all your plans (like Bayo); you're waiting for this whole thing to blow over in your holiday home (like Jody); or you actually have the virus, and so are a mopey, isolated mess (like Claire). This will help with *any* of those.

2) We are enjoying incredible success in middle distance disciplines right now, leaving us all nostalgic for the Cram/Coe/Ovett era, and getting us super excited for what is to come. Six out of twelve available medals won at last year's European Juniors, and three Brits toeing the 1500 metre start line in Doha last year. British trials are now world-class affairs. This is a hot topic. It merits the time.

3) The guests we have on are fabulous. Jake Wightman leads the charge, with Scottish records, European and Commonwealth medals, and a 5th-place global finish to his name. Jamie Webb has burst onto the scene, and - with that European Indoors silver and a 1:44.52 personal best - this Chemistry teacher has all the elements to make his mark on the international stage (sorry...). Josh Kerr headed to the States as a 17-year-old, where he won multiple NCAA medals and set the collegiate 1500 metre record, before staying out there to run for Brooks, place 6th in Doha, and start his own podcast ('Sit & Kick': check it out). Oliver Dustin is the reigning European U20 Champion, but - most excitingly - loves tactical racing, and knows he's plenty more to give as he progresses to the senior ranks. You really want to hear what these speedsters have to say.

You see our point. So - what are you waiting for? Download, buckle up, and enjoy the longest we've ever gone without interviewing a Sprint Queen...

Twitter: @BackstraightB & @Claire_GThomas
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Mondo Duplantis is making history at whim, Jemma Reekie has stepped out of Laura Muir's shadow and is eating national records for breakfast, and Jessie Knight is laughing in the face of her own previous bests. Oh, and Joshua Cheptegei just dropped a 12:51 5km on the roads in Monaco. 2020 looks set to be epic.

Claire's back with the boys this week, with all of the above covered, plus plenty of shout-outs to other Backstraight favourites around the globe (we see you, Amber Anning), an update on Christian Coleman's location, and a look at Joanna Adams' appointment.

We also take a moment to savour how healthy much of athletics looks right now. YES, there are troublesome shoes, disturbing revelations about top-flight coaching set-ups, and ongoing issues around clean sport and athletes with DSD, but there's lots to find exciting. There's such strength and depth out there right now, and Team GB are spoilt for choice in so many disciplines, come selection season. Plus, Andy Pozzi is healthy, for goodness' sake; let's relish that at the very least. How brilliant to see him competing consistently well once more.

We've had some lovely reviews and feedback in recently. Thank you. We want to produce the sort of pod you love to listen to, so get in touch however you like: @BackstraightB and @Claire_GThomas on Twitter, @BackstraightBoysPodcast on Instagram, or via a review.

That's quite enough rambling for now. If we don't shut up soon, Jemma will have broken another NR, and we'll have to re-record... 

As ever, thanks for stopping by xoxo

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It's an Olympic year. Mondo has already broken a World Record. Jemma Reekie has broken three British ones. Jeanette Kwakye and Jon Mulkeen are on the pod. Goodness gracious, 2020 really is off to a fabulous start at Backstraight HQ.

We've had a wonderful couple of months off, but are back with an absolute bang, and thought this would be the perfect appetite-whetter ahead of what ought to be a sensational year of running, jumping, throwing, and walking.

Here's to rants, raves, and records; to sprint queens and distance duels; to packed stadia and lined streets; to podding our way through a jam-packed season, and sharing all of it with you.

Here's to 2020. Enjoy!

Want to get in touch? @BackstraightB, @Statman_Jon, @JNETTEKWAKYE, and @Claire_GThomas

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Radzi's back. He's an expert and a professional, who covered - with great warmth and nous, we might add - many of this year's major events. This recording should be plain-sailing... right?

Of course not. Radzi thinks Kipchoge's sub-two was a phenomenal athletic performance. Jody and Bayo think it's a gimmick. Chaos ensues. He also thinks Christian Taylor might be his Male Athlete of the Year. Claire 'Keep it Karsten' Thomas is apoplectic.

It was terrific fun, however, and we did agree on a few things: Muhammad's supremacy, the ridiculousness of some of the officiating in Doha, that a happy Kat is a pretty unbeatable Kat, and that we'll never forget Barshim's gold-winning performance, nor the men's shot put final.

Thanks very much to those of you who sent in your thoughts on this year's highlights, and to all of you who listen to us. There's a proper Backstraight community growing, and we absolutely love it. 

Merry Christmas, don't forget to vote for Kat or Dina for Sports Personality, and let's raise a glass to what's been one hell of a year in the best sport of them all.

@iamradzi @backstraightb @claire_gthomas x

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