Keep the Flame Alive

Book Club Claire is back to discuss Lopez Lomong's book "Running for my Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games."

Lopez has had a remarkable life so far: He was kidnapped by Sudanese rebel fighters, escaped that situation with people he called his "angels," spent most of his childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp, and was chosen to move to the United States where he developed his running talents and earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012. He's still competing for a spot on the Tokyo 2020 team and working to improve conditions in South Sudan.

Here are some resources to help you learn more and help out:

• Lopez Lomong's 4 South Sudan Foundation
• South Sudan timeline – BBC
• Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement
• Olympic Refuge Foundation
• Olympic Solidarity
• Refugee Olympic Team

And if you're curious about Alison's latest beef with Mary Carillo, that was from "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" Episode 183.

Follow Claire on Twitter!

Support the show:

• Patreon
• iTunes/Apple Podcasts – leave us a review!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Hurdling great Dawn Harper Nelson is BACK! This week she talks with us about gold at Beijing 2008, silver at London 2012, and a heartbreaking 2016 US Olympic trials. Plus, we've got TOFU, a Tokyo 2020 update, and an opportunity for you to help the Beijing 2022 Games. Also, Jill and Alison discuss who would win in a mascot race.

Here are Dawn's races — once you listen to the show, check out the London race again and see if you see what Dawn's talking about.

• Beijing
• London
• The 2016 Olympic Trials and her post-race interview
• Rio 2016 – US sweeps the podium

Don't forget to follow the next chapter of Dawn's journey — you can find her on Twitter and Insta at @DHarp100mH. On Facebook she's Dawn Harper Nelson, and her website is www.dawnharpernelson.com

In our Tokyo 2020 Update, we mention the new Paralympic schedule. Find it here.

Want to submit a proposal for the Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremonies? Find out more info here. If you do enter, remember, Alison likes lots of drums.

Do you need more Soohorang in your life? Who doesn't?! It was nice to see this clip on Twitter recently.

Don't forget to support the show–there's so many ways to keep our flame alive:

• Share it with your Olympic-loving friends!
• Write a review on iTunes!
• Become a patron!

Thanks, as always, for listening, and until next week, keep the flame alive!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Dawn Harper Nelson, gold medalist at Beijing 2008 and silver medalist at London 2012 in the 100m hurdles, explains how to approach a hurdle race. Plus, Jill has a startling confession--or perhaps you'd call it a b-confession.

So many links for you this week. First off, follow Dawn:

Twitter:@DHarp100mH

Insta:https://www.instagram.com/dharp100mh/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dawnharpernelson

www.dawnharpernelson.com

Some of the videos of her that we mentioned on the show:

Watch her do some exercises and be all inspirational.

Her victory at Beijing 2008.

Her silver medal race at London 2012.

A snippet of her Aha Talk.

We'll have Dawn back on next week -- she'll go into her victory at Beijing, her silver at London and the crushing blow she felt at the Rio Olympic Trials.

Also, the dulcet tones of Team member Jason Bryant will be lighting up an arena in Budapest at the World Wrestling Championships. Catch those here -- and they're also going to be on NBC Olympics this weekend!

Check out Finn Sisu's Kikkan Randall ski pole fundraiser.

Also, here's a look at the recently released cycling course for Tokyo 2020 -- views of Fuji-san, everyone!!

Don't forget about our latest Book Club selection, Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong.

It takes an enormous amount of time and effort to put together this show, and we're trying to raise the funds to continue to make it possible. Other ways you can support us where we earn some bucks:

• Patreon!

Don't have money? No problem! We also need to keep finding our people -- we know there are more out there, and you can help us find them:

• Nominate us for a Discover Pod award!
• Share us with your family, friends, connections and followers on all of your socials! We've seen some of this in action already--thank you so much for getting our name out there!

And some fun for you:

Join our Facebook Group, where you can shoot the breeze with your fellow Olympic fans. You never know...you might get a sneak peek and give some input on future shows!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

MatTalkOnline's Jason Bryant returns to tell us about his adventures as the in-house English announcer for the wrestling competition at the Rio 2016 Olympics. It's a wild journey that goes through Uzbekistan, naturally.

Follow Jason on Twitter and his network on Facebook for all the latest in the world of wrestling.

We also have a slice of TOFU for you, as well as some insensitivity at a recent sailing test event. Wasn't us! We weren't there!

Brand new: Join our virtual water cooler at our Facebook Group. We love hearing your thoughts on various Olympic activities.

Thanks for listening, and keep the flame alive!

Photo by Larry Slater

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Did you know that the 2018 Youth Olympic Games is opening this weekend?

Wait a second....there's a Youth Olympic Games?

Yep.

Jill and Alison spend this episode--and only this episode--talking about why the Youth Olympic Games exists and if it's worth the trouble. Olympic and multi-sport/multi-day event expert Rich Perelman talks them through the YOG and if it's a good thing for the Olympic movement.

Rich is also the founder and editor of The Sports Examiner, a thrice-weekly publication that covers the entire Olympic program (FTR: we're subscribers). Follow him on Twitter at @RichPerelman.

As always, we've got a slice of TOFU for you and a Tokyo 2020 update. Tokyo 2020 volunteering info is here.

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

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Happy Anniversary to us! That's right--one year ago this week, we launched our very first episode (you want to go back and listen, right?.....Maybe not. We didn't really get into a groove until a few episodes in)!

It's been a year of amazing adventures and fascinating Olympic stories, and this week's guest is no exception. We continue what seems to be a Montreal theme this year and sit down with swimming legend John Naber. John was the golden boy of the 1976 Montreal Olympics, winning four gold medals and one silver medal, and setting multiple world records that held up for years.

John talks about swimming, his Montreal experience, his career as a broadcaster and his work with Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund. And we talk about the puzzle that is this week's show pic and the fact that Jill has not yet been able to get that quarter out. You better believe you'll hear about it when she does.

Follow John on Twitter and Facebook!

We also have some great news about the USOC's decision to create equity between Olympians and Paralympians in terms of medalist monetary awards. Check out Oksana Masters' reaction.

Plus, we try to make sense of WADA's decision to readmit RUSADA.

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

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

On this week's show, the dulcet tones of Wrestling Hall of Fame writer, broadcaster and announcer Jason Bryant joins the show to explain the ins and outs of one of the oldest Olympic sports: Wrestling. Plus, Alison hatches a 10-year plan to compete at LA2028.

You can find Jason online at Mat Talk Online -- and if you like wrestling (don't you?--or don't you now after listening to this episode?), check out his podcasts. Jason is currently announcing at the Jr. World Championships in Slovakia through Sept. 23, and next month he'll be in Budapest for the Sr. World Championships.

You must watch the Rulon Gardner/Aleksandr Karelin match from Sydney 2000. That link's to the entire match (in Japanese, no less), but here's a composite story on the event, to understand just how big of a deal this was.

Then, you have to see Gardner's retirement match. WARNING: You might need a Kleenex first (Jill needs a Kleenex right now, just thinking about it).

Speaking of big deals, how about our Team member Jimmy Pedro getting inducted into the International Judo Federation Hall of Fame??? We did not talk about the ceremony itself -- but check this out, because this must've been some shindig!

The Judo World Championships is happening right now in Baku, Azerbaijan. Check it out here.

Team member Erin Jackson should be skating with Jacksonville Roller Derby in the WFTDA Playoffs in Atlanta. Her team is seeded third and its first game is on Saturday. Look for video here (paywall).

Thanks for listening, and keep the flame alive!

Photo by Larry Slater

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Jill is back from the World Olympic Collectors' Fair, and she's got some great stories of touring the LA Coliseum and the LA84 Foundation. She also got to catch up with our Olympin friends, make some new friends and hear some great Olympic stories, like this week's interview with Joan and Sid Marantz.

Joan and Sid have been Olympic fans and collectors for decades, and when the Olympics were in Los Angeles in 1984, they both volunteered with the movement. Joan worked in Youth Services helping put together educational materials, and Sid got to be one of the few people to portray Sam the Olympic Eagle.

That's right. Jill's favorite mascot! She got the story behind what it's like to be a mascot, and she also learned about one of the interesting educational projects that happens with the Olympic Games.

One of the other things Jill and Alison talk about is how the LA84 Foundation displays its collection of mascots:

Won't somebody please help these guys?

Listener Beth mentioned this episode of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," with Christine Lagarde, who may currently be known as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, but at one time was on the French National Synchronized Swimming team! You can listen to that here -- Christine was on the July 14, 2018 episode.

Thanks as always for listening -- and if you're fans, please share the show with your other Olympic-loving friends. Keep the flame alive!

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.

Jill is back from the World Olympic Collectors' Fair, and she got to hear some great Olympic stories, like this week's interview with Joan and Sid Marantz, who volunteered with Youth Services for the LA 1984 Olympics. Joan tells us all about developing educational tools, and Sid tells us what it's like to actually be Sam the Olympic Eagle. **DISCLAIMER: Olympic Fever is not endorsed by or affiliated with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.**

It takes a village to house an Olympian, but what does it take to create that village? Yvan Dubois, Director General of the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games and Mayor of the Montreal Olympic Village tells us how it's done. He was one of the first to create the environment that makes the Olympic Village special and contributes so much to the magical experience of the Games.

Plus, kudos to Sarah Gascon and the US Women's Handball team for winning their series against Canada for the right to go to the 2019 PanAm Games in Lima, Peru.

Also, Samantha Achterberg is competing in the Modern Pentathlon World Champs on September 10 and 12 - catch the action on upimtv.org.

DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ("USOPC"). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.