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The Paris 2024 Olympics are fast approaching, so this week's column is dedicated to some of the podcasts that are openly biased towards the Olympics.
1. All in play: Mo Farah
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Sport
For two weeks, we all became experts in a sport we have no experience in and would otherwise never see.
But if you're still looking for a podcast series to get you in the mood for the Paris Olympics, try Wondery's upcoming two-part season of Everything To Play For, hosted by Countdown host Colin Murray and comedian, actor and broadcaster Elis James.
In the first episode, called 'Flo Mo' by Elis, they focus on long distance running and tell the incredible story of one of the greatest British long distance runners in history, Mo Farah, who initially ran away from his childhood and eventually won four Olympic gold medals, including his two epic triumphs at London 2012.
Hearing how Arsenal-obsessed Mo overcame some of the biggest obstacles in his life is testament to the enormous power of sport, something the co-hosts also noted.
Everything To Play For is the show that takes you behind some of the greatest sports stories of all time, from the juiciest rivalries to the biggest comebacks.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
2. Olympics.com Podcasts
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Sport
If you’re excited about the Olympic Games and everything they entail, Olympics.com’s podcast series is the perfect fit. Each episode focuses on a different key event or topic, with talks with athletes and expert guests from around the world, delving into history and interesting facts, as well as taking an in-depth look at how the events inspire fans in real life.
For example, the recent episode On The Wall With Alex Honnold: Sport Climbing's New Heights, highlights the recent addition of climbing as an Olympic sport, with American climber and free solo legend Honnold weighing in on why the thrilling event leaves audiences enthralled and how the rise of sport climbing dovetails with the growing popularity of climbing in general.(By Abi Jackson)
3. Off the podium
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Sport
Before Ben Waterworth, Colin Hilding and Jarrod Loobeek started Off The Podium, they dreamed of Olympic glory but lacked the athletic prowess to achieve it.
Fast forward to episode 396 featuring six-time Australian Olympic icon Mary Hanna, the podcast has continued to provide listeners with weekly interviews from around the world as well as entertaining and insightful analysis on the Olympic Games.
Mary made her Olympic dressage debut in Atlanta shortly before her 40th birthday, before returning to Sydney, Athens, London, Rio and Tokyo. She has since been named an alternate for Paris, continuing an extraordinary career of persistence and longevity.
And that's what this episode is all about. It was great to hear someone speak so passionately about why it's important to always go for the gold when pursuing short- and long-term goals.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
4. Keep the flame alive
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Gender: Sport
Keep the Flame Alive is a podcast for fans of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, hosted by Jill Jaracz and Alison Brown since 2017.
During the Games, the pair record action-packed daily recap episodes, featuring information about the host city, stories from the athletes, what goes on behind the scenes, and the results of all the events that day.
But when they're not on air, there are still weekly episodes about what makes the Games what they are, their history, how different sports work, and much more.
The final episode, Jill and Alison, is all about the Paralympics before they head to Paris. The conversation starts with Alison sharing (leaving it on the record) who she thinks will be the final torchbearer, and then they jump right into her first interview with paratriathlete Grace Norman, Paralympic shooter Marco DeLa Rosa, Paralympic cyclist Dennis Connors, and goalball player Calahan Young, to name a few.
If you love the Games and always want to be there, Keep The Flame Alive was created just for you.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
Focus on…
5. Everything but football
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and Y
Gender: Sport
Anything but Footy is another openly biased Olympic and Paralympic sports podcast hosted by John Cushing and Michael Weadock, who will be heard reporting and commentating for talkSPORT.
For the first time this year, the radio station has managed to secure full broadcast rights to the Olympic Games, so over the coming weeks listeners will hear John and Michael interviewing and championing the athletes of Team GB and the GB Paralympic Games.
But before it all gets started, episodes have focused on the build-up to the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, with the most recent episode featuring an interview with Great Britain team boss Mark England, who discusses his medal goals and gives an overview of the make-up of the team heading to France this year.
The podcast highlights athletes from a variety of different sports, making it an insightful listen that not only shares the latest news and interviews, but also the essence of the Olympic Games.
(By Yolanthé Fawehinmi)
