Olympic Channel Podcast

U.S. wrestler Jordan Burroughs joins viral gymnast Katelyn Ohashi for an in-depth chat.Jordan won Olympic gold in 2012 but suffered a huge shock at Rio 2016 when he came away empty handed.The pair talk what defines success and failure and why he’s gunning for glory in a different manner now.LINKSJordan Burroughs InstagramKatelyn Ohashi InstagramEd Knowles TwitterOlympic Channel InstagramSimone Biles PodcastEverything you need to know about the 2019 Wrestling World Championships

British boxer Frazer Clarke missed out on the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. Now, after being stabbed three times in 2016, he has a renewed focus and determination. He aims to continue the success of British Olympic medallists Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce in the superheavyweight division.LINKS:Frazer Clarke InstagramAlessandro Poggi TwitterEd Knowles TwitterOlympic Channel InstagramRamla Ali podcast episodeJoe Joyce Sports Swap

He’s broken over 15 bones, ruptured his spleen, and suffered several concussions. Tory Nyhaug still wants to get his hands on an Olympic medal. With anxiety so bad he literally felt like his skin was ‘on fire’, the Canadian BMX racer opens up about depression and his hopes for Tokyo 2020.LINKS:Tory Nyhaug InstagramEd Knowles TwitterIs It Possible?

We caught up with the history-making four-time Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles at her gym in Houston for an exclusive interview. We also spoke to Olympic champ Nastia Liukin about why she thinks Biles is the greatest of all time.LINKS:Simone Biles InstagramNastia Liukin InstagramScott Bregman TwitterEd Knowles TwitterKristie Phillips episodeAll Around episode 1Subcribe to the podcast

You have to be pretty fearless to climb up the 900m of El Capitan without any ropes. Alex Honnold from the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Free Solo’ joined the Olympic Channel Podcast to talk climbing at the Olympics, how to manage risk, and what really scares him. “If you fall off the wall, you're going to die… “I think that when people see a photo of El Cap (they think it’s) risky. That's not the right way to look at it. It's extremely high consequence.” LINKS:Alex Honnold InstagramEd Knowles TwitterOlympic Channel InstagramEverything you need to know about the Climbing World ChampionshipsGymnast Katelyn Ohashi episodeFree Solo trailerDawn Wall trailer

In 1986, there was a Sports Illustrated cover. In 1987, there was a U.S. national title. In 1988, the world expected to see Kristie Phillips at the Olympic Games. It never happened. The media speculated it was because she had gained weight.Distraught and devastated, she stepped away from the sport for nearly a decade. In the end, Phillips returned to competition, made her peace with the sport, and now is a respected gymnastics judge.On the eve of the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Scott Bregman spoke to Kristie about the 1988 drama, why Simone Biles is the best of all time, and what looks out for as a judge in gymnastics.LINKS:The amazing first episode of All AroundOlympic Channel on TwitterEd Knowles on TwitterScott Bregman on TwitterWhat you need to know about the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships

With just 12 months to go until Tokyo 2020, we set ourselves a task. How many interviews can you squeeze into a podcast? The Olympic Channel Podcast went to New York with UCLA gymnast and viral sensation Katelyn Ohashi. In a crazy day, we spoke to Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris, Tom Schaar, Brighton Zeuner, Ashima Shiraishi, Alex Johnson, Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson, and Naya Tapper.LINKS:Katelyn Ohashi InstagramEd Knowles TwitterOlympic Channel InstagramFree Solo trailerTry our Instagram filter

It’s officially one year to go until Tokyo 2020. We invited Olympic champion pole vaulter from Greece Katerina Stefanidi on the podcast with her husband and coach Mitchell Krier. We spoke about how they met, why Katerina struggles with self-belief, and her plans for the World Championships in Doha. Plus, we put their dedication to each other to the test with a game about her star sign. LINKS:Katerina Stefanidi on InstagramMitch Krier on InstagramOlympic Channel on InstagramEd Knowles on TwitterDashawn Jordan episodeTokyo 2020 #1YearToGo

South African swimmer Chad Le Clos is one of the few swimmers to beat Michael Phelps at the Olympics. He took gold in the 200m butterfly in 2012. Chad is determined to be mentioned amongst the greats. Rami Anis has been selected for the Tokyo 2020 Refugee Olympic Team. He escaped war in Syria and always held on tightly to his dream of making the Olympics.LINKSChad Le Clos InstagramRami Anis InstagramEd Knowles TwitterAndrew Binner TwitterYusra Mardini episodeEverything you need to know about the FINA Aquatics World ChampionshipsA day-by-day guide to the FINA Aquatics World Championships scheduleDay One as it happened

Olympic champions Adam Peaty and Katinka Hosszu say becoming a world record holder is all to do with their mental preparation. As we celebrate our 100th episode, we find out what sets apart two of the world’s very best swimmers ahead of the FINA World Championships.LINKS:Adam Peaty InstagramKatinka Hosszu InstagramEd Knowles TwitterAndrew Binner TwitterTen of the most motivational episodes of the podcastEverything you need to know about the FINA Aquatics World ChampionshipsA day-by-day guide to the FINA Aquatics World Championships schedule

Andrea Fuentes has a difficult task. She is hoping to use her experience, as a four-time synchronised swimming Olympic medallist, to qualify an American team to the Olympics. The U.S. hasn’t entered a team since Beijing 2008. The country used to dominate the sport – can they beat the odds and reach Tokyo 2020?“We are doing in five months what others took years to achieve,” said Fuentes.Ahead of the Pan American Games and the FINA World Aquatics Championships, we follow a coaching team determined to realise a dream.LINKS:Andrea Fuentes InstagramReem Abdalazem InstagramUSA SynchroEd Knowles TwitterAdam Peaty InstagramOlympic Channel Instagram 

They are one of Canada’s big medal hopes for the FINA World Championships 2019. The diving pair are big friends in and out of the swimming pool. After two fourth place finishes at Rio 2016, Jennifer Abel needed the help of a new partner to put the ‘dark thoughts’ to one side. Melissa Citrini has made diving more fun for Abel. We talk Olympic goals and karaoke songs with the pair (singing included).LINKSJennifer Abel on InstagramMelissa Citrini on InstagramEd Knowles on TwitterScott Bregman on TwitterMiss Val episode

Breaking legend B-Boy Moy was carrying a pistol to school the day his life changed. He discovered breaking at a talent show. After winning countless awards and contests, he’s now a big advocate for taking the sport to the next level: the Olympic Games. We spoke to Moy Rivas about his devotion to dance, hip hop, and positivity.LINKS:All you need to know about the Breaking World ChampionshipsB-Boy Moy InstagramEd Knowles TwitterWhy Olympic Skateboarding will be awesome

Women’s skateboarding, the ultra-competitive USA team, and core skating. There’s a lot to talk about as the countdown to the Olympics is officially on for skateboarding with qualification already underway. We caught up with Dashawn Jordan and Jenn Soto to talk gender equality and equal pay in skating. Plus, will we ever see skateboarding at the Paralympics? Oscar Loreto Jr and Aaron Wheelz Fotheringham are hoping to make that dream a reality.LINKSUSA Skateboarding InstagramDashawn Jordan InstagramJenn Soto InstagramNyjah Huston podcast episodeFAQ on skateboarding qualification at the OlympicsEd Knowles on Twitter

We have travelled the world to find the best football stories ahead of the WWC in France. There are two exclusive interviews with senior FIFA officials: Fatma Samoura (Secretary General) and Sarai Bareman (Chief Women’s Football Officer). Plus, we went to Malaga to speak to refugee Ode Fulutudilu about her call up to the South Africa squad. We also took a trip to Orlando, USA, to speak to Jamaican teenager Jody Brown on playing against her idols.LINKSAda Hegerberg episodeEd Knowles on TwitterNicklas Vinde on TwitterFatma Samoura on TwitterSarai Bareman on TwitterOde Fulutudilu on Twitter

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.”LINKSElliot 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.LINKSJohn on InstagramOlympic Channel on InstagramEd 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.LINKSAda Hegerberg InstagramNicklas Vinde TwitterEd 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