We talk a lot about more nations getting involved with sports, or smaller nations having more presence at an Olympics or Paralympics. For a nation to be at the Games, they need to have a national governing body in the sport – but what does it take to start one? On this episode we're talking with skeleton athlete Shannon Galea, who has dual citizenship with Canada and Malta, and who founded the Maltese Bobsled and Skeleton Federation with hopes of qualifying for the Olympics.

Follow Shannon on Insta, and you'll be able to find her federation's website through Malta's National Olympic Committee once it's finalized.

In our Albertville 1992 history moment, Alison found a competitor who went on to have some notoriety in life.

A lot's been happening in TKFLASTAN too. We've got updates from:

• Andras Toro
• Evan Dunfee
• Ness Murby
• Michelle Carter
• DeAnna Price
• Mallory Comerford
• Nick Zaccardi
• Ginny Thrasher

The Modern Penthathlonovela has an update too - and this is getting to be a very slick TV production, which is quite fitting for a telenovela-esque situation.

We also have updates from Paris 2024, including the launch of its Cultural Olympiad, and lots of news on Milan-Cortina 2026, namely budget woes (who's surprised at this?) and the announcement of the sports program....which does have more equality for women, but not for our very own Annika Malacinski.

Finally, Spain's out of the running for hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics, and the USOPC gives reasons why Salt Lake City might also not be selected to host those Games, even though they are ready and willing for whenever the IOC needs them.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://wp.me/pbRtIx-1V5

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

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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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