Keep the Flame Alive

Team USA Wheelchair Basketball player Brian Bell joins us to talk about the ins and outs of this Paralympic sport. Brian has been part of Team USA for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, both of which were gold-medal-winning performances. Brian and Team USA will be looking for the three-peat at Paris 2024.

Follow Brian on social! He's on Insta and X.

Also, Jill is at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, so she has a full report from Lucas Oil Stadium, where 17,000-20,000 people are packing the stadium to cheer swimmers on in the biggest meet in the country. Read more about it on our blog.

In news from Paris 2024, rain is disrupting water quality in the Seine. Again. The Opening Ceremony finally had a practice of the boat parade. And Korea House will be a go--look for it at Maison de la Chimie.

The International Olympic Committee Executive Board voted to have an official eSports Games. This proposal now goes in front of the IOC Session for a full vote, but we could have another Olympic event on the docket.

In our trip to TKFLASTAN, we hear from:

• Track cyclist Mandy Marquardt. Learn about her 5K@ADA Virtual Challenge here.
• Diver Andrew Capobianco
• Artistic swimmers Jacqueline Simoneau, Megumi Field, and Daniella Ramirez
• Swimmers Lydia Jacoby and Bobby Finke
• Listeners Patrick from Chicagoland and Lorry

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thank you so much for listening–and until next time, keep the flame alive.

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

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Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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We're getting aquatic on this episode, sharing Team USA Media Summit interviews with all sorts of swimming athletes. We've got (athlete links are Instagram accounts--follow them!):

• Ben Hallock - Captain of the U.S. Men's Water Polo team. Paris 2024 will be his third Olympics
• Maggie Steffens - Captain of the U.S. Women's Water Polo team. Paris 2024 will be her fourth Olympics
• Ashleigh Johnson - Goalie for the U.S. Women's Water Polo team. Paris 2024 will be her third Olympics

• Bobby Finke - Olympic gold medalist, 800m freestyle; also swims the 1500m freestyle
• Lydia Jacoby - Olympic gold medalist, 100m breaststroke

• Andrew Capobianco - Olympic silver medalist, 3m synchronized springboard

• Megumi Field - duet and team
• Daniella Ramirez - team

The naming of the U.S. artistic swimming team included a big surprise, which we get into (along with Caitlin Clark being left off the U.S. women's basketball team).

In Paris 2024 news, ticket scams abound. Plus, you can eat airplane food at the Air France pavilion (reservations here: https://airfrance.invityou.com/air-france)

LA 2028 proposes adding a sport to the Paralympic program.

The International Olympic Committee is one step closer to officially naming the hosts for the Winter Olympics in 2030 (France) and 2034 (Salt Lake City).

In TKFLASTAN news we hear from:

• Wheelchair tennis player David Wagner
• Karate-ka Tom Scott
• Sitting volleyball player Lora Webster
• Former hurdler Dawn Harper-Nelson
• Former diver Laura Wilkinson
• Olympics travel expert Ken Hanscom, who was on a digital roundtable with listener David: https://youtu.be/euF71DxdwMw?si=ZEeRLaIE0oCh2XfJ

If you're going to U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, look for Jill there!

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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While you wouldn't think para swimming is much different from able-bodied swimming, the Paralympic classification system makes it a more complex sport to follow. Classification helps level the playing field (although we learn here that it's not the most perfect system), but the diversity of swimmers and abilities means that there are a lot of classes in this sport. Case in point, our three guests for this episode.

We talk with Jessica Long, 5x Paralympian; McKenzie Coan, 3x Paralympian; and Olivia Chambers, Paralympic hopeful about para swimming, nuances of their classifications, and how the Paralympics has changed over the years.

Follow Jessica, McKenzie and Olivia on Insta! Jessica and McKenzie also have websites to check out for more information. The 2024 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials will be on June 27-29, 2024 in Minneapolis.

There are less than 50 days until the start of the Paris Olympics, and to celebrate that milestone, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee adorned the Eiffel Tower with the Olympic rings. We have that news and more from Paris 2024.

In our TKFLASTAN update, we have news from:

• Wheelchair rugby player Chuck Aoki
• Artistic swimmer Jacqueline Simoneau
• Beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng
• Rugby coach Ben Ryan

And Jill has a full report from the Katie Moon Pole Vault Classic, where she got to see TKFLASTANI Katie Moon vault from about 12 feet away!

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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We're exploring team sports on this episode of Keep the Flame Alive. At Paris 2024, there will be 11 purely team sports: artistic swimming, basketball, basketball 3x3, beach volleyball, football, handball, hockey, rowing, rugby sevens, volleyball, and water polo. Athletes don't just have to be in top physical shape, they also have to work well with their teammates in order to achieve success. As we read in If Gold Is our Destiny, if players can't come together and play as a team, they're going to fall apart.

At the Team USA Media Summit in April, we talked with a number of team players who are ready to make their contribution in order to achieve victory and stand atop the podium, and we bring you those interviews here (links to follow them on Insta):

• 3x3: Jimmer Fredette, Canyon Barry, Dylan Travis, Kareem Maddox
• Field Hockey: Abby Tamer and Kelsey Bing
• Rugby Sevens: Perry Baker
• Football (Soccer): Emily Sonnett

We also have news from TKFLASTAN and:

• Beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng
• Wheelchair fencer Ellen Geddes
• Speed skaters Erin Jackson and Ryan Shane
• Equestrian Phillip Dutton
• Pole vaulter Katie Moon - Get your ticket to the Katie Moon Pole Vault Classic!

Be sure to show your TKFLASTAN pride at Paris! Get your Keep the Flame Alive gear here.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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We're hopping on a horse and riding along with Paralympian Beatrice de Lavalette on this episode of Keep the Flame Alive. Beatrice competed for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in para dressage, finishing 5th in Individual Championship Test - Grade II - Open) and 6th in Individual Freestyle - Grade II - Open.

We've talked about para dressage for visually impaired riders, so with Beatrice we were able to explore and better understand the sport for para classes that involve missing limbs. We also talk about choosing a horse and how they feel on competition day.

Learn more about Beatrice at her website and follow her on Instagram!

Jill recently went to her a conversation with boxer Morelle McCane, who's qualified for Paris 2024. You can watch that discussion here (which should include a familiar voice during the Q&A).

Also, Jill will be speaking at the Lakewood Public Library on June 5, 2024 at 7pm about Cleveland's Olympic History. Come out and see her!

In Paris 2024 news:

• The International Boxing Association is going to pay all athletes who make it to the podium, plus also a little something for 4th and 5th places
• Microsoft Threat Analysis Center released a report about Russian campaigns to influence the Games
• The French Interior Ministry thwarted a planned attack on a football stadium
• Free Opening Ceremonies tickets are being distributed
• There will be 10 medal reallocation ceremonies at Champions Park to honor athletes all the way back to Sydney 2000 whose results were changed due to doping violations
• More museum exhibits at the Pantheon and the National Museum of Australia

In news from TKFLASTAN, we hear from:

• Artistic swimmer Jacqueline Simoneau
• Race walker Evan Dunfee
• Pole vaulter Katie Moon - get your tickets for the Katie Moon Pole Vault Classic here.
• Former BMX cyclist Connor Fields
• Superfan Sarah and Listener Meredith

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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Olympic sprinter Kenny Bednarek joins Jill and Alison for a discussion about sprint starts, running the curve on a track, and the principles Kung Fu Kenny lives by.

Follow Kenny on Insta, X, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok!

The latest news from Paris 2024 has a transport focus, including shuttles to remote venues and updates on Uber policies during the Games. Plus, more tickets will drop every Thursday at 10am Paris time until the Games start. Also, Casa Columbia joins the mix of hospitality houses.

Still on the fence about going to the Games? With the influx of tickets, and this news about hotel prices dropping, maybe they'll get to be within budget!

In TKFLASTAN news, we hear from:

• Pole vaulter Katie Moon
• Hammer thrower DeAnna Price
• Artistic swimmer Jacqueline Simoneau
• Commentator Rob Snoek
• Sleep research Dr. Renske Lok
• Cyclist Coryn Labecki - this finish, whoa: https://www.youtube.com/live/tuRk9VxkmNo?si=6fnXWLdhF9FjJCC3&t=2165

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Have you heard our latest patron-only episode with Alison's genius idea for 2028? Get it here.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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On this episode we're bringing you more tape from the Team USA Media Summit, and we're talking with three Paralympians: Multi-Paralympic medalist wheelchair tennis player David Wagner, para judo athlete Liana Mutia and gold medal-winning para table tennis player Ian Seidenfeld.

David talks with us about clay courts. Liana tells us how she had to entirely relearn how to compete in judo after losing her vision. Ian explains how his paddle extender works.

Follow David, Liana, and Ian on Insta!

In Paris 2024 news, be on the look out for a scam involving Paralympic Opening Ceremony tickets.

In IOC news, reports are that Toyota will end its TOP sponsorship.

In TKFLASTAN news, we hear from:

• Wheelchair rugby player Chuck Aoki
• Karate-ka Tom Scott
• Para javelin thrower Justin Phongsavanh

Have Kindle Unlimited? Check out our Paris 2024 Viewing Guide for free!

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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We're happy to have Ben Waterworth, one of the hosts of Off the Podium join us. Off the Podium is an Australian/Canadian collaboration, so we wanted to get their view on what's going on with Paris 2024. We preview some of the big sports and names and look forward to the excitement that awaits us this summer. Also, Ben tells us the issues with the Gabba, Brisbane 2032's proposed stadium.

Find Off the Podium wherever you get your podcasts and follow them on all the socials at @offthepodiumpod.

In Paris 2024 news, the podiums have been released--and like all elements of these Games, there's a lot of symbolism in them! And the official film will be directed by Jules and Gédéon Naudet. You might know them from their documentary on 9/11 (if you haven't seen it, make some time to do so!)

Plus, Mattel has released nine new Barbies to honor trailblazing athletes from around the world.

In news from TKFLASTAN, we hear from:

• Para shot putter Noelle Malkamaki
• Karate-ka Tom Scott
• Table tennis player Milly Tapper
• Commentators Olly Hogben and Blythe Lawrence

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

We are 100 days out from the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympics! We think there's no better way to celebrate than by throwing things. We got to talk with Paralympian Justin Phongsavanh at the Team USA Media Summit for a few minutes and are thrilled that he had time to come on the podcast for a longer interview. Justin competes in para javelin in the F54 class (competes while seated) and won a bronze at Tokyo 2020. Getting on the podium was fun, but it wasn't enough, so Justin is continuing his quest for gold.

Follow Justin on Instagram and cheer for him at the Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe, Japan this coming Friday, May 24th.

In celebrating 100 days out, the International Paralympic Committee released a promo video. Short version here

Long version (hold onto your hats) here.

Plus news from Paris 2024 and TKFLASTAN, and the IPC has voted on a new Classification Code.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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It's a well-know fact that we love surface talk! Why? You'd be surprised at the research and engineering that goes into courts for specific sports. Today we're talking with Alise Kessler, Head of Volleyball for the FIVB, volleyball's international federation, and Lionel Arlin, Sports Federation and Events Manager for Gerlor, the manufacturer of volleyball--and many other sport--floors at Paris 2024.

Follow FIVB on Insta, YouTube, Facebook, and X, and follow Gerflor on Insta and X!

We also talk with 3x Olympian Jordan Larson, who we met at the Team USA Media Summit. Jordan won silver at Lon 2012, bronze at Rio and gold at Tokyo, where she was captain and got the last kill to beat Brazil in the final. She's going for Olympics #4 at Paris.

Follow Jordan on Insta!

In Paris 2024 news, if you're going to the Games this summer, the ticketing app is up and running, and you can access your tickets there. The ticket resale platform is also up, so if you didn't get an event you really wanted to go to--or haven't even gotten tickets yet--there are opportunities to do so!

In news from TKFLASTAN, we hear from:

• Coryn Labecki, who's currently competing at the USA Cycling Pro Road Championships in Charleston, WV (home to a great taco and burrito joint!)
• Para archer Matt Stutzman
• Commentator Rob Snoek
• Sports historian Dr. Victoria Jackson

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348