Keep the Flame Alive

It's Thanksgiving in the U.S., so we've got an all-Paralympic lightning round heading your way. First up is para shooter McKenna Geer. McKenna won bronze at Rio 2016 and also competed at Tokyo 2020 in air rifle.

Next we have para dressage rider Sydney Collier. Sydney finished seventh at Rio 2016 and was an alternate for the U.S.' Tokyo 2020 team.

Finally, we're joined by Rob Snoek, who competed for Canada in athletics, and has gone on to become a sports commentator.

Follow our TKFLASTANIs on social:

• McKenna - Facebook, Insta and Twitter
• Sydney - Twitter and Insta. Also check out her website.
• Rob - Twitter and Insta

NEW! We're looking for mascots and folks who want to close out the show!

• Mascot: Your pet will sponsor the show! We'll talk about them on an episode, and they'll be the star of our newsletter and social channels for a week.
• Close out the show: You will get to remind listeners to "keep the flame alive" at the end of one episode. This is your chance to add "podcast appearance" to your resume.

Limited slots are available - get yours today (or put it on your holiday wish list)! Get more information here, and for all the ways to support the show, go here.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-23B

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

Photos courtesy of McKenna Geer, Sydney Collier and Rob Snoek.

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Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

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Book Club Claire is back for our last Book Club meeting for 2022, and we're discussing Snowball's Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe by David C. Antonucci. Know nothing about the 1960 Winter Olympics? Neither did we until we read this book, and it's got all sorts of fun details that are surprisingly relevant to other parts of this episode. Plus, Walt Disney was involved with the ceremonial aspect of these Games, which definitely peaked our interests.

In other big news, Paris 2024 announced its mascots: The Phyrges! We've got the story behind these two symbols and our thoughts on how they'll be as mascots.

We also have another chapter in our Modern Pentathlonovela and the Kamila Valieva doping situation.

In our Albertville moment, Alison shares the story of the temporary stadium that housed the ceremonies - and what happened to it after the Games.

Checking in with our Team Keep the Flame Alive, we have competition results and news from:

• Shooter Tim Sherry
• Beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng
• Table tennis player Melissa Tapper
• Handball player Sarah Gascon
• Speed skater Erin Jackson (that link goes to her Hear Her Sports interview where she talks about the differences between inline and speed skating)
• Figure skater Nate Bartholomay
• Retired luger Shiva Keshavan
• Marketing consultant Terrence Burns

We also have some news from Milan-Cortina 2026 on the speed skating venue -- which includes another flashback to Winter 1960.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-236

Thank you to all of our patrons who keep our flame alive. If you appreciate this show and would like to give back, please visit our support page for ways to do so.

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

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

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

Newsletter: Sign up at http://flamealivepod.com

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We're just weeks away from registration for the ticket lottery for the Paris 2024 Olympics, so our TFKLASTANI travel expert Ken Hanscom is here to tell us about the new way tickets will be sold (and why it's OK to not win a spot in the first ticket lottery). He also talks about the lodging situation, so you can start planning your trip!

Follow Ken on Twitter and Insta. He also runs the Paris 2024 Olympics Planning & Preparation Facebook Group, so if you're not part of that, you should be. Its members have tons of great advice, whether this is your first or umpteenth Games. Ken's also put out the "Ultimate Guide to Paris 2024 — Your Roadmap to the Summer Games in Paris, France," so be sure to check out that as well!

In our Albertville 1992 history moment, Jill looks at the Men's 20K Biathlon race -- and a case of blood doping gone seriously wrong.

In our visit to TKFLASTAN, we have news from Team Keep the Flame Alive members:

• Shooter Tim Sherry
• Short Track Speed Skater Ryan Shane
• Speed Skater Erin Jackson
• Curler John Shuster
• Shooter Ginny Thrasher
• Para Powerlifter Louise Sugden
• Modern Pentathlete Jo Muir
• Handball player Sarah Gascon

In our Games updates, we have the next steps on the Kamila Valieva situation (spoiler alert: Nothing's resolved), a teaser on the Paris 2024 mascots, and a new leader for Milan-Cortina 2026.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-22R

If this content provides value to you, please consider giving back. We have a variety of ways to support the show.

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

Photo courtesy of Ken Hanscom.

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Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

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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We're getting on the track -- the short track -- with Ryan Shane, US Olympic hopeful in short track speed skating. Ryan's got the details of the sport and answers some of our burning questions left over from Beijing 2022! And we've got some ice talk! You know how we love ice talk!

Ryan recently made the Team USA roster for the Fall Short Track World Cup Circuit, so be on the lookout for his competitions! The easiest way to do that is to follow him on Insta and his website.

In our Albertville 1992 history moment, Alison takes us to the ski jumping hill to tell us about Toni Nieminen, who stunned the competition with the latest innovation in ski jumping.

In our update from TKFLASTAN, we have news from:

• Sport shooter Tim Sherry
• Speed skater Erin Jackson - vote for her and Chloe Kim for the AAU James E. Sullivan award daily until November 9!
• Curler John Shuster
• Wheelchair curler Steve Emt
• Sport climber Josh Levin

Also, our condolences to the family of Sid Marantz, who passed away this week.

We also have a doping-related podium update.....from London 2012.

And big news from the government of British Columbia on its thoughts about hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-22t

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

Photos courtesy of Ryan Shane.

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Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

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

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

Hang out with us online:

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Ever wonder what goes into creating an Olympic gymnastics floor routine? Choreographer and gymnastics judge Nicole Langevin joins us to explain some of the required elements and how gymnasts pack them into a minute-and-a-half.

Among Nicole's routines include TKFLASTANI Chellsie Memmel's comeback routine and TKFLASATNI Houry Gebeshian's Rio 2016 routine (which has a really cool story behind it).

Follow Nicole and learn more about her services:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolelangevinconsultant
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/NicoleLangevinConsultant
• Podcast: What Makes You Think - http://www.youtube.com/whatmakesyouthinkpodcast and whereever you get your podcasts. Follow them on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/youthinkpod

• Precision Choreography: https://precisionchoreo.com/

In our Albertville 1992 history moment, Alison has the story of these Games' enormous medals, made by Lalique, and the trend they started.

Plus, Paris 2024 has announced its plans for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, and they are cool!

Links mentioned in the show:

• Houry Gebeshian's Rio 2016 floor routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZqLiN2bCBg
• David Garrett's Nirvana cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tUrn-EESBc
• Shannon Miller's Barcelona 1992 floor routine: https://youtu.be/yY_vjL8tMvk
• Some examples of wolf turns: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6FF02uZUH10&feature=share&utm_source=EKLEiJECCKjOmKnC5IiRIQ
• Albertville 1992 medals: https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/albertville-1992/medal-design
• Paris 2024 Paralympic Opening Ceremony: https://www.paralympic.org/news/paris-2024-host-first-paralympic-games-opening-ceremony-outside-stadium
• Rocket Man at LA 1984: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TAP5yVaYxJU&feature=share&utm_source=EKLEiJECCKjOmKnC5IiRIQ

Thank you to our patrons - we're testing out new benefits, so get in on the action at http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-22e

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

Photos: Courtesy of Nicole Langevin

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

Support the show:

Tell a friend: http://flamealivepod.com

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

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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Sports marketing, sponsorship and bid city consultant Terrence Burns is back for part two of our conversation. This time we're talking bidding for the Olympics. Which bids surprised everyone? Which bids failed miserably? We've got the details!

Learn more about Terrance's work: https://www.tburnssports.com/

Get more bid stories on his blog: http://www.terrencehburnsblog.com/

Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TBurnsSports

Will there ever be an Olympics in the Middle East? Terrence has opinions here: https://www.sportbusiness.com/2020/08/terrence-burns-if-the-wind-blows-ride-it/

In our Alberville history moment, Jill continues her story on the bobsled competition. We start with the color pukesplosion and amazing ride of this Unified Team: https://youtu.be/JugAtILSqMM

Then we get into espionage and the story of driver Harald Czudaj -- and this one involves a surprising person!

In our visit to TKFLASTAN to catch up with Team Keep the Flame Alive, we have updates from:

• Boxer Ginny Fuchs
• Retired biathlete Clare Egan
• Race walker Evan Dunfee
• Paralympian John Register
• Beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng
• Speedskater Erin Jackson -- catch her competition this weekend on US Speedskating's YouTube channel.
• Curler John Shuster -- catch his competition on Sportsnet, Sportsnet ONE or Sportsnet 360, and stream the action on SN NOW.

And Paris 2024 has announced details on how to volunteer for the next Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Learn more here: https://www.paris2024.org/en/volunteers/

For a transcript, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-21X

Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more here.

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

Photo courtesy of Terrence Burns.

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

Support the show:

Tell a friend: http://flamealivepod.com

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

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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

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Newsletter: Sign up at http://flamealivepod.com

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What's it like to be an Olympic sponsor, and how has sponsorship and marketing of the Olympics evolved? Terrence Burns of T. Burns Sports Group is here to give some insight into this history.

Follow Terrence on Twitter and read about his adventures consulting on Olympic bids at this blog.

In our Albertvile history moment, Alison looks the legendary Italian skier Alberto Tomba--better known as Tomba la Bomba--and his achievements at Albertville 1992.

In our visit to TKFLASTAN where we catch up with Team Keep the Flame Alive, we have news from:

• Bobsledder Josh Williamson
• Hurdler Dawn Harper Nelson

Plus, we have news from Paris 2024 - potential big changes coming to artistic swimming, and the Myrtha Pool deal has been inked (see Episode 30 for more about temporary pools). And, how's the organizing committee doing on transportation accessibility?

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-21m

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

Photo courtesy of Terrence Burns.

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

Support the show:

Tell a friend: http://flamealivepod.com

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

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312069749587022

Newsletter: Sign up at http://flamealivepod.com

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Grab your popcorn and pull up your chair! Film Buff Fran is back for another edition of Keep the Flame Alive's Movie Club. This time we're watching the 2016 Jesse Owens biopic "Race." Will it inspire us to become sprinters?

In our Albertville 1992 history moment, Jill starts looking at the bobsled competition. This competition has it all: Scandal! Spying! A color pukesplosion! This week: Scandal -- or, Team USA's really tough Olympic quad. Would the Dream Team have made it better?

In our visit to TKFLASTAN, we have updates from:

• Nordic combined athlete Annika Malacinski
• Beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng
• Curler John Shuster
• Speed skater Erin Jackson
• The dulcet tones of Jason Bryant - to donate to his efforts to help Beat the Streets raise money to help kids get wrestling gear, visit here.

Paris 2024 has announced the marathon course -- this one looks like it's going to be an epic Olympic marathon!

Plus, LA 2028's dynamic logo is sponsor-ready. Should it be?

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-20L

Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more here.

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

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

Support the show:

Tell a friend: http://flamealivepod.com

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

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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

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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312069749587022

Newsletter: Sign up at http://flamealivepod.com

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Content warning: This episodes contains discussions of eating disorders.

During the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, our listeners had a ton of questions about ski jumping (particularly with that suit controversy). We talked with Blake Hughes, former USA Nordic Women's Ski Jumping Team Director and Head Coach of USA Nordic Sport, to sort it all out. From ice tracks to ski suit tailors to thoughts on the movie "Eddie the Eagle," this interview will definitely make you watch ski jumping in a different way.

We also have an Albertville 1992 moment, news from TKFLASTAN and news on Paris 2024.

Vote for next year's historical Olympics here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Did you know that we have a crowdsourced map of Olympic and Paralympic sites? It's a work in progress, and if you'd like to help expand its content, find it here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1V-tJWDWUnW9CKhC2op0H5_tMiXROGBUp&ll=3.5901258300001047%2C0&z=2

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-20G

Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more here.

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

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

Support the show:

Tell a friend: http://flamealivepod.com

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

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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

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

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

Newsletter: Sign up at http://flamealivepod.com

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We're back after technical problems and a medical emergency derailed the show last week. This show is worth the wait though!

We're excited to have British Paralympic bronze medalist Louise Sugden on the show this week to help us learn about the sport of para powerlifting and setting goals that keep her motivated to go further in the sport.

The European Para Powerlifting Championships take place September 24-29. Follow the action here.

In our history segment, which focuses on Albertville 1992 this year, Jill takes to the cross-country competition to tell the tale of Raisa Smetanina, one of the greats in the sport and the first winter athlete to achieve an amazing feat.

You can learn more about Raisa at her museum (which also happens to be her home).

In our visit to TKFLASTAN, we have a number of updates from our Team Keep the Flame Alive members, including:

• Boxer Ginny Fuchs
• Andrew Maraniss -- pick up his new book Inaugural Ballers (and shopping through that link supports the show)!
• The dulcet tones of Jason Bryant
• Table tennis player Millie Tapper
• Speedskater Erin Jackson
• Modern pentathlete Jo Muir
• Ice Dancer Charlie White

In Games news we have:

• Beijing 2022 - A brief update on the Kamila Valieva doping case
• Paris 2024 - Information on ticket sales (!!!) (Hint: Join Le Club), the torch relay, venue updates, and more. Keep up to date with the basic info on our Paris page.
• LA 2028 - At an IOC Coordiation Commission meeting, the IOC and LA2028 admit that the Olympics cannot fix all of a city's problems.

Plus we have an update from last week's IOC Executive Board meeting.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1ZZ

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

Photo credit: ImageComms, courtesy of Louise Sugden

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Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown

Support the show:

Tell a friend: http://flamealivepod.com

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

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/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: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312069749587022

Newsletter: Sign up at http://flamealivepod.com

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