His vision became impaired but it meant earning a shot at his dream: representing his country at Tokyo 2020. British judoka Elliot Stewart had given up on following his father’s footsteps to become an Olympian. When he lost his sight, he lost his job and was unsure of his direction in life. Stewart returned to judo, came third at the World Championships, and looks to be a strong candidate for the British Paralympic team.

“I lost my vision. But I can do the sport that I love. And go to the place that I’ve always wanted to go which is the Paralympic Games.”

LINKS

Elliot Stewart Twitter

British Judo Twitter

Ed Knowles Twitter

David Weir episode

John McAvoy is an Ironman triathlete. The first part of his life was spent in prison or committing serious crime. Now, he’s broken world records in indoor rowing and had top-level meetings with the UK government the UK government. McAvoy vowed to change his ways when his friend died in a car chase. He left behind a criminal life of chasing money to focus on motivating and inspiring people. “If you gave me the option between winning a gold medal at the Olympics, or sacrificing my whole athletic career to stop one kid going to prison: I’d sacrifice everything,” he said to the Olympic Channel Podcast.

LINKS

John on Instagram

Olympic Channel on Instagram

Ed on Twitter

The Norwegian striker is going for her fourth consecutive Champions League title and has broken goal records consistently. The Olympic Channel Podcast found out about why she’s passionate about equality in women’s football, her Ballon d’Or win, and her ambitions with club Olympique Lyonnais.

LINKS

Ada Hegerberg Instagram

Nicklas Vinde Twitter

Ed Knowles Twitter

Depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder all disrupted the dreams of American figure skater Gracie Gold.

She won two US National titles as a teenager and took an Olympic bronze medal home from Sochi 2014.

But in 2017 she withdrew from competition to seek treatment for her mental health.

Gracie is now taking a day-by-day approach to recovery as she explains in this honest, open, and raw interview.

LINKS:

Gracie Gold on Instagram

Evgenia Medvedeva, Jason Brown and Brian Orser episode

Ed Knowles on Twitter

Pita Taufatofua grabbed everyone’s attention when he arrived at Rio 2016’s Opening Ceremony with his bare, coconut-oiled chest. And then he did it again at PyeongChang 2018 in below freezing conditions. From escaping avalanches in Iceland to ending up thousands of dollars in debt, the Tongan took on every problem with a smile. His sporting career started in taekwondo, then he moved to cross country skiing, and now he’s hoping to become a kayaker. Pita’s positivity is infectious so we joined him for in depth chat at his home in Tonga.

LINKS:

Pita Instagram

Ed on Twitter

Kristina Vogel episode

As Alexandra Banfield prepares to represent England at the 2019 ICU World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida, the Solihull-based athlete explains how she balances an emotional job as a chemotherapy nurse with the rigours of training for a major competition. Plus, we sent influencer Gina Scarangella to London to see how the sport has grown in the country.

LINKS

Everything you need to know about the 2019 ICU World Cheerleading Championships

Ed Knowles on Twitter

She’s fast. She’s Jamaican. And she’s coached by four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon. Briana Williams won the 100m and 200m at the U20 World Championships. Now, she is hoping to reach the 2019 World Championships (‘if her coach knows what he’s doing’ – Ato’s words not ours!) and maybe even Tokyo 2020. We spoke to both about sunglasses, Jamaican beaches, and beating FloJo’s long-standing sprint records.

LINKS:

Briana Williams on Instagram

Ato Boldon on Twitter

Bobby Clay episode

The question on everyone’s lips was ‘Who is Sarah Sellers?’. The American beat the odds to finish second in the 2018 Boston Marathon. The Olympic Channel Podcast spoke to the full-time nurse about what’s changed a year on, her Tokyo 2020 chances, and why she will never pay for a first class flight. 

LINKS:

The Ultimate Guide to the Boston Marathon

Olympians hail "incredible experience" of running a marathon in Pyongyang

Sarah Sellers on Instagram

Ed Knowles on Twitter

Coach Brian Orser has some of the best figure skaters in the world training at his famous ‘Cricket Club’ in Toronto, Canada.

Two of the newest additions to the team are Evgenia Medvedeva and Jason Brown.

“They do have a very special chemistry,” said Orser.

“They are from different backgrounds - but they seem to jive really well.”

Olympic champion Meryl Davis spoke exclusively to the pair and Brian Orser about what makes their relationship so unique.

LINKS:

How to fall in love with a figure skater with Aljona Savchenko’s husband Liam Cross

Daily blog from the world championships

Evgenia Medvedeva Instagram

Jason Brown Instagram

Brian Orser Instagram

Meryl Davis Instagram

Ed Knowles on Twitter

Her phone totally blew up. After being out with friends, US gymnast Katelyn Ohashi came home to 50,000 more followers on social media.

We hear the full story behind the ‘Perfect 10’ routine that went viral, her friendship with Simone Biles, and the biggest life lesson from legendary coach Valorie Kondos Field.

The Olympic Channel Podcast also spoke to Miss Val about what’s next for American gymnastics and what she’s learnt in her three decades at UCLA.

LINKS

John Orozco podcast

Katelyn Ohashi Instagram

Miss Val Instagram

Scott Bregman Twitter

Ed Knowles Twitter

Original Perfect 10 Routine in Full

Updated Perfect 10 Routine in Full