Darren and Eleanor debate whether sporting personalities should be able to voice their beliefs – no matter how controversial they are.

It comes after Israel Folau – who was sacked by Australia Rugby for making homophobic comments on social media - signed for Super League side Catalan Dragons this week.

Britain’s first openly gay rugby player, Halifax prop Keegan Hirst, tells us why he’s appalled that Catalan Dragons have signed Folau, whilst BBC Religion Editor Martin Bashir explains Folau’s interpretation of religion. 

Also on ‘The Inside Track’ – we look at what legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant’s legacy might be, after he died along with his 13-year old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Israel Folau: Do sport and religion mix?

From rugby legends, to Premier League managers &amp; beyond – the biggest names in sport tell us their stories.

Sports

The British athletics legend chats to Eleanor Oldroyd about her incredible career, capped by winning Olympic gold in the 800m and 1,500m in 2004. She discusses her career - and explains how portable toilets and ice creams featured during the Athens Games. She also opens up about living in fear for years that her sexuality would be revealed, and how inspiring just one other person by coming out would eclipse all her sporting success.  WARNING: This episode contains discussions about suicide and self-harm. If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can find links to organisations who can provide help and support at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline  TOPICS
0 mins - The emotional and physical 'roller coaster' leading up to 2004
2'10" - Keeping the Olympic belief
3'42" - No pressure leading up to Athens
5'10" Taking on the double was 'the biggest risk'
6'50" Disbelief at winning 800m gold
9'50" How a portable toilet played its part in winning 1,500m gold
11'50" Staying focused for the 1,500m
13'15" Was it fate that she would win the double?
15'20" Celebrating with ice-cream and Matthew Pinsent
16'18" Setting up the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust
18'27" The relief at coming out as gay
19'55" Living with fear throughout her life
22'50" Helping one person would be worth more than sporting success

The Dame Kelly Holmes one

Katie Smith is joined by the BBC's tennis correspondent Russell Fuller and Manuel Sanchez, sports correspondent for Spanish news agency EFE, to take a deep dive into the life and career so far of Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz. We discuss his past, his present and his future - ahead of what could be his first Grand Slam title on clay at the French Open, which starts on Sunday. You’ll hear from Carlos himself, his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, and the people who helped to shape him into the player he is today, including his junior coach Kiko Navarro and Jesus Garcia Pardo, who was a hitting partner for the then 12-14-year-old Alcaraz. Topics:
02:12 - introductions
07:20 - early childhood
12:21 - character and mentality
22:40 - relationship with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
33:20 - maiden Wimbledon title

The Carlos Alcaraz One

From his training base in Jamaica, Zharnel Hughes sits down with Eleanor Oldroyd ahead of this summer's Paris Olympics.  He’s a double Commonwealth Games and European Championships gold medallist, and now he’s aiming to add an Olympic title to his collection.  He goes right back to the beginning - from when he first discovered he was pretty fast, to making the move to Great Britain, and moving on from the disappointment of missing Rio and false starts and team disqualification in Tokyo.  He also gives us a glimpse inside his mind when on the start line and discusses if it’s time for a new era of athletics. TOPICS 00'40 - Where it all started  02'30 - Life in Jamaica with Bolt, Blake and Weir 5'20 - Making the move to Great Britain in 2015  11'20 - Getting ready for the Olympics  13'00 - "Do you have something to prove this summer?" 15'30 - Memories of Tokyo 17'00 - Falling back in love with athletics 18'30 - "That's when you know it's showtime" 20'00 - Pre-race routines 23'00 - Living in the moment 26'00 - Breaking records & burgers and fries  31'00 - A new era for athletics? 33'00 - "The is your captain Zharnel Hughes"

The Zharnel Hughes one

Iain Carter speaks to 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm ahead of this year’s tournament. 
The Spanish golfer reflects on last year’s win, talks about his aims to retain the green jacket, and discusses his decision to join LIV Golf in December. 
We also hear from golf journalists Ewan Murray and Bob Harig about the future of the game in the LIV Golf era. TIMECODES:
00:58 - Jon Rahm interview
13:55 - Reflection on the interview with Ewan and Bob

The Jon Rahm one

Helen Glover discusses her career as an Olympic Gold medal winner and also her aims for this summer's games in Paris. She talks about how she began her rowing career, the legacy that she hopes to leave and her greatest moments in life and her career. TOPICS
0 mins - Preparing for Paris
3 mins - Earning her place
5 mins - Juggling parenting with competition
10 mins - Helen's rowing beginnings
13 mins - "Work hard and you can do anything"
15 mins - Helen's first Olympic gold medal
20 mins - Helen's greatest moments
22 mins - Goals for Paris

Israel Folau: Do sport and religion mix?

Download our free app to listen on your phone