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The stories behind the medals. Paralympian Scout Bassett, comedian Eliza Skinner and athletics commentator Ed Harry interview remarkable athletes about the journeys they took to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
33 Episodes
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2From an alcoholic home to three gold medals aged 16, swimming was Carrie Steinseifer-Bates’s "safe place". But the pressure of being an elite athlete took its toll, and Carrie herself became an alcoholic. Today she is sober and dedicated to helping others.
Australia’s track and field gold medallist Jared Tallent campaigned for years to get what was rightfully his, following a doping scandal. Already an Olympic silver medallist in race walking, it took four years before a Russian rival was disqualified and Jared finally got his gold medal.
The Olympic water polo gold medallist inspired by her friendship with the late basketball star Kobe Bryant. After an accident left her with severe injuries, Kaleigh Gilchrist vowed to get to Tokyo in his memory. And in honour of her Olympian father.
“It saved my life.” BMX competition helped the Swiss-American athlete fight anxiety attacks, which left her unable to leave home as a young teenager. The Olympic bronze medallist is now a mental health advocate.
Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian, with five gold medals. When Yip Pin Xiu won her first gold at the Beijing Paralympics, she was the youngest in her country’s team. And it was the first time ever that Singapore’s national anthem had been played in an Olympic arena.
The Argentinian legend who fought back from cancer. Santiago had won Olympic bronze before he got sick. After years of struggle, he came back to take gold at the Rio Games.
The star basketball player in the US Olympic team. And, off the court, a voice for the abused. Breanna Stewart speaks frankly about her own experience of child sexual abuse, to give hope and strength to other victims. Since becoming a parent, she campaigns to change attitudes on professional sport and motherhood.
Gold medal-winning speed skater Denny Morrison’s near death experience, and a teammate’s selflessness. A competitor gave up his place to give Denny a sporting break, but a devastating motorbike accident was to follow. He fought back against multiple injuries, before then suffering a stroke. But Denny refused to be beaten, qualifying for the 2018 Olympics.
From rowing gold to tackling taboos. Paralympian Birgit Skarstein challenges stereotypes. A gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympics, she campaigns for women’s sport and disability rights.
Olympic bronze against the odds, in only Molly Seidel's third ever marathon. Her success came after years of battling an eating disorder – a struggle with which she still lives. She talks about her mental health issues and the physical problems which bulimia can cause.
What does it take to be a champion? We’re back with a new season of the show that talks to Olympic and Paralympic medallists. What drives them to do what they do? With comedian Eliza Skinner, sports commentator Ed Harry and Paralympian Scout Bassett. Released weekly from 7 August 2023.
A champion swimmer’s journey to find a new path outside of the pool. Markus Rogan held a world record and won two Olympic silvers for Austria. But when he stopped competing, his world unravelled. Markus trained for a new career as a psychotherapist, and it led him back to the Olympics - as a sports psychologist.
A champion on and off the track. Paralympic track and field star Jaleen Roberts was born with physical disability cerebral palsy. But she has never let it stop her. She shares her mental health journey to help others.
(CP description from Cerebral Palsy Alliance in US)
Still winning medals nearly 40 years on from his first Olympic Games, Australian equestrian Andrew Hoy has no plans to retire. After becoming the oldest man to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, he’s gearing up to compete again.
From a child fleeing conflict to the fastest Paralympian on earth. Salum Kashafali fought for survival, escaping the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo with his family. He took 100 metres gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, breaking his own world record and becoming a global role model.
The non-pro Austrian cyclist who beat the best, without the support of a single teammate. When Anna Kiesenhofer lined up for the women's road race, few thought she was a contender. But her belief paid off and she became the first Austrian to win gold at a Summer Games for 17 years.
"This is my dream." There had never been an Olympic track and field champion from India. But Neeraj Chopra changed everything for his country. His amazing journey from a rural village climaxed with a gold medal in the men’s javelin at the Tokyo Games. Neeraj is now dedicated to inspiring the next generation of Indian athletes.
"All the things I went through": What a medal meant for a US shot-putter who used an Olympic ceremony to send a message. Raven Saunders hit the headlines in Tokyo when she made an X shape with her arms on the podium. Her aim? To show "the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet". The silver medal winner is black, gay and has spoken frankly about her struggles with depression.
Jana Pittman was a world champion hurdler, but injury halted her Olympic dreams. She came back to compete on the ice, and became Australia's first Summer and Winter Olympian when she joined the country's bobsleigh team. She’s also a medical doctor, a mother-of-six and an advocate for women's health.Image: A bright coloured background of yellows and orange and red with the backend of a bobsleigh being pushed by a figure in the all green of Australia (Illustration by Phil Smith)
The blind swimmer breaking records and stereotypes. After losing her vision as a teenager, Anastasia Pagonis broke the world record to take Paralympic gold in Tokyo. Now, she uses her platform as a social media star to break down stereotypes.Illustration: A bright coloured background of yellows and orange on the top and turquoise blue splashing up from underneath. A swimmer is rising mid stroke. her painted fingernails are visible, she is wearing a swimming hat with Pagonis on the side and blacked out swimming goggles (Illustration by Phil Smith)
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