On episode 20 of the True North Podcast, Benedict Rhodes is joined by Canadian ski mountaineering athlete Matt Ruta.

They discuss the sport’s Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, the different variations of the sport and its origins, how Canadians can qualify for the Olympics, some of his favourite sporting memories, and so much more.

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On episode 19 of the True North Podcast, Benedict Rhodes is joined by Canadian swimmer Javier Acevedo.

Last year Acevedo went to his third Olympics, but says he’s not done just yet. He reflects on his swimming journey so far, the development of the Canadian national teams over the past decade, his ambitions for going to Los Angeles 2028, and the importance of taking some time off this year to recharge.

All of that and more on this episode of the True North Podcast.

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On episode 18 of the True North Podcast, Benedict Rhodes is joined by Canadian swimmer Arianna Hunsicker.

She joins the show to talk about her rise through the swimming ranks to becoming a Paralympian for the first time this summer, some of the challenges faced and lessons learned along the way, what motivates her to keep going on the road to Los Angeles in 2028, and so much more.

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On episode 17 of the True North Podcast, Benedict Rhodes is joined by Canadian Paralympic champion wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk.

They discuss Smeenk’s golden summer at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the incredible team around him that puts him in the best positions to succeed, what it takes to be a champion on the biggest stage both physically and mentally, his ballet debut in The Nutcracker, and more!

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On episode 16 of the True North Podcast, host Benedict Rhodes is joined by Canadian gymnast Emma Spence.

They discuss Spence’s recent retirement from elite gymnastics with Team Canada, some of the standout moments from her career, her upcoming final season in the NCAA at the University of Nebraska, and what her next journey might be.

All of that and more on this episode of the True North Podcast.

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On episode 15 of the True North Podcast, host Benedict Rhodes is joined by another Ben — Ben Lewis from Tennis Canada and the Match Point Canada Podcast.

They discuss the group of five tennis players named to Team Canada for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this week, some of the major Canadian and international tennis stories leading up to the Olympics, and of course get some Wimbledon chat in as well.

All of that and more on this episode of the True North Podcast.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the True North Podcast. To be the first person to listen to future shows or read the latest stories, subscribe for free using the button below.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the True North Podcast. To be the first person to listen to future shows or read the latest stories, subscribe for free.

On episode thirteen of the True North Podcast, host Benedict Rhodes is joined by Canadian skeleton racer Grace Dafoe.

After more than a decade of grinding on the skeleton development circuits, Dafoe made her World Cup debut on January 12 at the historic track in the birthplace of the sport — St. Moritz, Switzerland. She discusses her journey from trying the sport for the first time in 2012 to competing against the world’s best in 2024, and everything in between.

All of that and more on this episode of the True North Podcast.

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On episode twelve of the True North Podcast, host Benedict Rhodes is joined by Mike Bodnarchuk, Co-Chair of the Ski Jumping Canada Board of Directors.

The conversation begins with a discussion about Tarik van Wieren, who will be competing for Canada at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics later this month. They also discuss Canada’s current crop of national team superstars, examine some of the funding issues that Ski Jumping Canada has been facing in recent years, and the closure of the national training facilities in Calgary. Also included is a look at the potential for growth in the sport in years to come ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics and beyond.

All of that and more on this episode of the True North Podcast.

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On episode eleven of the True North Podcast, host Benedict Rhodes is joined by Paralympic champion Nate Riech.

Throughout the conversation they discuss Nate’s gold medal at Tokyo 2020, his preparation for Paris 2024 next summer, his family’s incredible sporting history, and some of the work he’s doing to make a difference for other people with traumatic brain injuries.

All of that and much more on this episode of the True North Podcast.

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