Sportshour

We're live in the French capital as the Games begin!One of the most popular Olympic disciplines is gymnastics. It requires artistic flair alongside core strength and amazing flexibility. So imagine having to compete with scoliosis, a condition that curves the back into unnatural positions. That's precisely the challenge Italian Marta Pagnini had to overcome in order to achieve her dream of competing at the Olympics, winning bronze in the Group All Around in 2012. Now retired Marta has been telling Sportshour's Caroline Barker about her gymnastics career and her continued battle with scoliosis. Kayla Harrison has always been a fighter, both inside and out of the sporting arena. The double Olympic gold medal winning judoka now completes in mixed martial arts in the UFC. Twelve years on from her first gold in London and just months after her debut in the UFC, Kayla has been reflecting on her career and the challenges she has had to face outside sport. She's been telling Sportshour's Joel Hammer how she now split

This documentary contains discriminatory and homophobic language that some listeners may find offensive. In 1993 the legislators in Cobb County, Georgia passed a resolution stating that “lifestyles advocated by the gay community are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes". Cobb County was due to welcome the Olympics in 1996 hosting the volleyball competition as part of the Atlanta Games. Narrated by Wanda Guenette, a member of the 1996 Canadian volleyball team who identifies as gay, and who faced the prospect of having her Olympic dream turned into a nightmare, forced to compete in a place that had made it clear she and other gay athletes were not welcome. In Episode 4 it's early 1996 and preparations for the Games are nearly complete. Just the torch relay, the symbolic journey the Olympic flame makes to the host city, carried by the great and good across the host nation. Despite everything, the flame was still set to pass through Cobb County. But Jon-Ivan Weaver and Pat Hussain we

This documentary contains discriminatory and homophobic language that some listeners may find offensive. In 1993 the legislators in Cobb County, Georgia passed a resolution stating that “lifestyles advocated by the gay community are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes". Cobb County was due to welcome the Olympics in 1996 hosting the volleyball competition as part of the Atlanta Games. Narrated by Wanda Guenette, a member of the 1996 Canadian volleyball team who identifies as gay, and who faced the prospect of having her Olympic dream turned into a nightmare, forced to compete in a place that had made it clear she and other gay athletes were not welcome. In Episode 3 we hear from Olympic legend Greg Louganis. In the early 1990’s there were few openly gay athletes, retired or active. Having only recently come out the Olympic movement wanted to recognise his bravery with an award. Louganis used his acceptance speech to condemn the decision to have the Games in Cobb County and added

This documentary contains discriminatory and homophobic language that some listeners may find offensive. In 1993 the legislators in Cobb County, Georgia passed a resolution stating that “lifestyles advocated by the gay community are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes". Cobb County was due to welcome the Olympics in 1996 hosting the volleyball competition as part of the Atlanta Games. Narrated by Wanda Guenette, a member of the 1996 Canadian volleyball team who identifies as gay, and who faced the prospect of having her Olympic dream turned into a nightmare, forced to compete in a place that had made it clear she and other gay athletes were not welcome. In Episode 2 we meet the driving forces behind the “Olympics out of Cobb” movement, Jon-Ivan Weaver and Pat Hussain and their life partners Diego and Cherry. They explain the lengths they had to go to, to have their voices heard. This is the inspiring story of a small campaign group who took on one of the most powerful organisati

This documentary contains discriminatory and homophobic language that some listeners may find offensive. In 1993 the legislators in Cobb County, Georgia passed a resolution stating that “lifestyles advocated by the gay community are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes". Cobb County was due to welcome the Olympics in 1996 hosting the volleyball competition as part of the Atlanta Games. Narrated by Wanda Guenette, a member of the 1996 Canadian volleyball team who identifies as gay, and who faced the prospect of having her Olympic dream turned into a nightmare, forced to compete in a place that had made it clear she and other gay athletes were not welcome. Episode one looks at the history of the US South, the campaign to get the Games to Atlanta and help change perceptions of what the South was like. At the same time a conservative backlash against gay rights was forming in Cobb County. This is the inspiring story of a small campaign group who took on one of the most powerful organ

We’re live at Royal Troon at golf’s 152nd Open Championship. The course contains one of the most iconic holes in golf. The 8th hole known as the "postage stamp" it also contains the longest hole in all Open history, a whopping 623 yards. So what exactly does it take to win there? Germany's Sophia Popov knows, she's the last person to win an Open Championship at Troon when she Women's Open in 2020. Plus and as this year's winner is crowned, we’ll speak to someone who has eyes on a future Open title and he’s no stranger to sporting success. The former Super Eagle now looking for birdies. Peter Odemwingie joins us fresh from successfully becoming a PGA pro golfer. The World Orientation Championships have been taking place this week, Switzerland's Ricardo Rancan, part of the winning sprint relay team, on what it takes to navigate your way to the top of the podiumAhead of the Paris Games we look at what it takes to put on a memorable Opening ceremony. The highs and lows, the pitfalls and the pleasure. Photo: The C

Having fled the Syrian Civil War aged just seventeen, Yusra Mardini competed in swimming for the first ever Refugee Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Five years later in Tokyo she had the honour of carrying the team flag at the opening ceremony. Now a goodwill ambassador for the UN, Yusra will be making a difference out of the pool in Paris, working as a reporter telling the stories of the current refugee athletes. She tells Caroline Barker why it’s maybe more important than ever to champion the athletes and shine an even bigger spotlight on them at this summer’s Games. Yusra also recounts her story when she fled Syria for Germany in 2015, including her extraordinary sea crossing from Turkey to Greece.We’ll be at Wimbledon with Jamie Broughton, who has been sniffing out the big stories off the court during the championships. He’s been on patrol with one of the dogs that helps to keep the All England Club safe.We hear from the Guru of the penalty shootout, Professor Geir Jordet, author of the new book “Pressure:

This documentary contains discriminatory and homophobic language that some listeners may find offensive.In 1993 the legislators in Cobb County, Georgia passed a resolution stating that “lifestyles advocated by the gay community are incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes".Cobb County was due to welcome the Olympics in 1996 hosting the volleyball competition as part of the Atlanta Games. Narrated by Wanda Guenette, a member of the 1996 Canadian volleyball team who identifies as gay, and who faced the prospect of having her Olympic dream turned into a nightmare, forced to compete in a place that had made it clear she and other gay athletes were not welcome.This is the inspiring story of a small campaign group who took on one of the most powerful organisations in the world and forced change. With the help of an Olympic legend and after months of high-profile peaceful protests, the Atlanta organising committee finally stripped Cobb County as a host venue and diverted the torch relay awa

We speak to sports psychologist Doctor Carly Anderson who is the team psychologist for the US curling team including when the men won Olympic gold in 2018. She tell us about the mental toughness and the preparation needed to compete in an Olympics after US gymnast Simone Biles qualified for her third games.NFL player Jermaine Eluemunor has been playing in the NFL since 2017, but this season will turn out for the New York Giants. It was the team that made him fall in love with the sport when he watched them play on TV in his home town of London. This week he returned to the UK and tells Caroline about a camp he is running to get more kids involved.Caroline is joined by Met police officer turned boxer Rachel Bower on why she wants more women to take up the sport. Plus, we get cooking with Tour de France chef Owen Blandy. He tells us what food he cooks up a mountain and the strangest requests that he has had.We head to Wimbledon to preview the second week of action and hear how the famous Slazenger balls used at

Noor Slaoui is another history maker at this year’s Olympic in Paris becoming the first equestrian rider from the Middle East or North Africa to compete in Eventing in the history of the Games. Growing up Morocco, Noor tells us about walking equine animals in the Atlas Mountains with her family in her childhood and how she has ended up in England’s horsing hub via France. Spurred on by the belief in her by her mother, Noor also tells us how she feels when she represents the region as a female athlete.Hear how a school in one of the most disadvantaged areas in London, just 10 kilometres from the home of Wimbledon, is making tennis more accessible. Under a programme set up by the charity Greenhouse Sports, tennis coach Tom Sippy has transformed the sporting complexion at Sarah Bonnell school in the heart of East London. Tom and student Manal explain how a scheme which started with holey nets and broken tennis courts has turned into an award-winning initiative.We’ll meet Caroline and Tinashe Gatimu, the mother a

Kenya’s leading tennis player Angella Okutoyi continues to make history against the odds. The African Games champion tells Sportshour’s Caroline Barker about her struggles growing up – including living in an orphanage – to becoming the first Kenyan to win a tennis Grand Slam after winning the Wimbledon girls' doubles title in 2022.Australian para climber Sarah Larcombe shares how she used to hide her disability, but now fully embraces her amputation. The multiple international medallist is hoping para climbing’s proposed inclusion at the 2028 Paralympic Games will help the sport climb to new heights.Sportshour meets the football fan who has watched football in all 55 UEFA member countries and even came onto play in the final game himself after flying English eighth tier side Hadley FC to San Marino.Also hear the story of the Georgian footballer who is having an impact on European aviation, Tottenham Hotspur defender Amy James-Turner on playing for the planet and Anthony Hamer-Hodges, Principal at the London C

Australian motorcycle racer Tayla Relph’s interest in motorsport made her a target of bullying at school and she began travelling around Australia in a van with her family whilst following the motorcycle racing calendar. Now Relph is lining up alongside 25 other women - from 18 different countries – as the first all-female motorcycle circuit-racing series at world championship level gets underway. Sportshour’s Caroline Barker speaks to Relph ahead of the first race in Italy.Allison Hill shares how she fell in love with running during the pandemic and how that led to her creating Hill Run Club in Toronto, Canada. It’s a story of community, friendship and grief with the club boasting over 500 registered members.Born in Germany, European champion boxer Abass Baraou moved to Togo, before returning to Germany. He’s since lived in the UK and now in Miami and he tells Sportshour’s Sophia Hartley about his globe-trotting story, the racist abuse he faced in Germany and how he's edging closer to a fight for the world t

Sportshour hears about an incredible act of generosity. Rob Adcock was set to be the first person to attend a game in every round of the Champions League without visiting the same country twice. With nine countries visited and just the final in England to tick off, he gave away his ticket – which cost more than $2,500 – to a Borussia Dortmund fan for free. Caroline Barker speaks to both Rob and the Borussia Dortmund fan, Raphael Kopp.Austria’s Valentina Cavallar explains why she has made the switch from rowing - a sport she competed in at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games - to professional cycling and how she’s hoping to be on the start line at this year’s Le Tour de France Femmes.British endurance runner Susie Chan shares her running adventures which have taken her all around the world, but reveals how her love for running came later in life and has helped her through some of her toughest moments.And – with the NBA finals getting underway, Sportshour looks at whether a simple pat on a player’s back from their tea

Dame Kelly Holmes was the first British woman to become a double Olympic champion winning the 800 and 1500 metres at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Despite the jubilation, it was not a moment of happiness but a period of fear. A fear that she might be outed as being gay.Revealed publicly just two years ago this month, Dame Kelly tells Caroline Barker about her renewed joy in life after coming out as gay. She explains the terror of hiding her sexuality in the British Army, where being gay was illegal until 2000 and how her story has inspired others to reach out to her. Kelly also talks about how being able to be herself has given her the confidence to do pantomime and what she wants to do next to help others.With the Paris Olympics the first Games with equal men and women participation in sailing, World Sailing is bidding to increase female representation in the sport at all levels with a new report. Who better to explain the development of that than trailblazing Olympic gold medallist Jo Aleh, who will go

Taiwan badminton player Chou Tien-chen was keen to make sure he was in the best shape possible ahead of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games. What should have been a straightforward full medical examination saw him diagnosed with early stage colon cancer. After taking a second doctor’s opinion to undergo surgery, Chou is now back playing on the world stage. He’ll explain why he kept the news from his fans and even his friends for almost a year and why he hopes his story will inspire others to undergo early cancer screening.Lacrosse won’t be making an appearance in Paris but will be brought back into the Olympic Games for Los Angeles in 2028. As one of the fastest growing sports, it will celebrate a landmark moment in September with its first ever Women’s Box Lacrosse World Championships. Eleni Megoran will represent Australia at the Championships and tells us about how big this is for the sport and for women. Eleni also shares how she’s seen as a “cool” teacher and a trailblazer with her students in her job

As flooding in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul continues to cause devastation, Shabnam Younus-Jewell speaks to Brazilian surfer Pedro Scooby who is among a number of sportspeople from the country helping those affected.Gaz Choudhry explains why he switched the wheelchair basketball court for the theatre stage. The two-time Paralympic medallist has recently been performing in 'Grenfell: In The Words of The Survivors' in New York, which tells the story of the Grenfell Fire that killed 72 residents of a tower block in London in 2017.Twelve months ago, the Netherlands didn't have a women's rugby league team but now they're targeting a spot at the Rugby League World Cup for the first time. We’ll meet the three Australian born sisters – Nicole, Jessica and Claire Kennedy – who are hoping to help get them there.And - we’ll find out about the sport of pickleball after it was announced India will launch the first-ever professional league.Image: Aerial view of flooded houses of the Guarujá neighbourhood, locat

Would you move heaven and earth to change your life? No? Well how about just your living room? When times got tough, New Yorker James Grammer found solace in sport, in particular the ancient Japanese sport of Sumo. But initially there was nowhere local to compete. While the parks were fine in the summer, the traditional sumo loincloth would be a bit chilly in winter ! So James turned his apartment into a Beya, the name for where Sumo wrestlers train. He’ll tell us the joys and drawbacks of sumo wrestling at home and his ambitions going forward as well as why he has been so keen on big contact sports growing up.Iranian born film director Milad Alami moved to Sweden as a child refugee and his latest movie OPPONENT uses the sport of wrestling to highlight the challenges encountered by refugees across Europe. Milad draws on his own experiences to tell the story of an Iranian wrestler who worn down by the asylum process seeks out the one thing he knows and starts to train with the Swedish wrestling team. He tells

Caroline Barker speaks to Jake Peacock on how he wants to entertain and inspire the world through his achievements in the Muay Thai ring. Peacock, who was born with one arm shorter than the other, was bullied at school and still receives negative messages on social media, but he says his greatest satisfaction comes from inspiring people.From free classes and sharing equipment to the Olympic Games, Samantha Catantan is the first Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympics in 32 years - and the first woman. Her qualification came after a significant injury setback and she’s not the only Catantan sibling with an Olympic dream.Double Olympic rowing champion Heather Stanning has recently completed Marathon des Sables, a six-day footrace over 250km in the Sahara Desert. Is the “toughest footrace on earth” her toughest challenge yet?And, 4 May is also known as 'Star Wars Day' so to mark the day Sportshour finds out more about the Stars Wars inspired sport of lightsaber duelling with France’s Celine Marie Mercier.(Ph

***This episode contains discussions and references to suicide. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org***Depression, health issues and the impact of the covid pandemic are familiar to many the world over. Canoeist Esti Olivier has been through it all and now has her eyes firmly fixed on competing at the Olympics in Paris. She tells us the highs and lows of the past few years of her life including missing out on the Tokyo Olympics. The moment she booked her place in Paris is one you’ve probably never heard before.Michael Anton Monsour is a club owner hoping to change the way sport looks at head injuries - by prevention. His club, Manchester ’62, who play in the top division in Gibraltar, made history with all 10 outfield players wearing protective headgear in a match. Michael is hoping to make as big a global im

***This episode contains discussions and references to extreme violence, sexual violence and domestic abuse. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org***Tracy Otto is on the verge of representing the Team USA at the Paralympics in Archery for the first time. But representing the United States in Archery was not what Tracy thought she would be doing five years ago. Back then, in her early 20s she was a student at the University of Tampa and an aspiring fitness model. But one night would change her life forever. In 2019, a brutal attack by an ex-partner left her paralyzed from the chest down with limited use of her arms and hands and the loss of her left eye. She describes that night, the impact on her life and how she is hoping to use the Paralympics to empower herself and others.The ironman triathlon is one of the