Sportshour
Messing about on the river
We’re heading to the river as the University Boat Race makes its way down the Thames. Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith chats to people who had the courage, bravery and fortitude to stay afloat when others would have floundered. Lauren Rowles is just 26 years old but is already a three-time Paralympic champion, starting in Rio through Tokyo and to Paris. A history maker who has had to overcome countless injuries and battled anxiety. She is a vocal member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a mum, first and foremost. She tells us how one morning, aged 13, she woke up unable to move. She had contracted the rare neurological condition Transverse myelitis. Overnight her life had changed but with the help of sport she has thrived and talks us through the challenges and success, including many a trip to the Palace. Rory Gibbs was part of nine men in a boat who won gold in the Olympic rowing regatta in Paris in August. It was a sharp contrast to the pain of failure he felt in Tokyo where he finished fourth and just outside the medals. He tells us what it took to comeback and climb to the top step of the podium. Since then, Rory has laid down his oar and picked up his pen. He gives us an exclusive reading of his new children's book, a fantastical set of stories all laced with lessons about how best to live your life. And what exactly does it take to win the University Boat Race? Sophie Shapter knows, she was the cox of the winning Cambridge boat in 2018 she talks us through the training, tidal waves and the trophy lift. Photo: (Left to right) Rat and Mole enjoy a picnic lunch as Badger, who dislikes socializing, watches in this scene from Dayton's holiday "Wind in the Willows" display in the eighth floor auditorium.(CREDIT: JOEY MCLEISTER/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
11 apr. 2025 - 48 min 34 sec
The Grand Opening
A new era for sports broadcasting starts with a grand opening. What better way to announce our transformation from Sportshour to Not by the Playbook than with some of the grandest people you'll ever meet! We have an exclusive interview with Grand Slam tennis legend Bjorn Borg. He's been revealing how happy he is that for some people in Scandinavia they don't know him for winning Wimbledon five years in a row, but instead as the man who makes underwear. We celebrate the most famous horse race in the world, the Grand National. From hedges to ditches, it is a challenge of mind and body. But what exactly is it like to face this terrifying race? We visit the stables of former jockey Geraldine Rees who, in 1982, became the first woman to complete the course, riding a horse called “Cheers”. (PHOTO: Bjorn Borg of Sweden holds the trophy aloft after defeating Jimmy Connors during the Men's Singles Final match at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on 8 July 1978 CREDIT: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Plus, is there any other grand better than a grandmother?! We hear from ‘IronGran’ herself Edwina “Eddie” Brocklesby who at the age of 81 is still taking part in Ironman competitions, and just a reminder that means a 4km swim, a 180km bike ride, followed by a full marathon run.
4 apr. 2025 - 49 min 16 sec
Introducing Not by the Playbook
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Katie Smith introduces Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges. The first episode arrives Saturday 5 April.
3 apr. 2025 - 01 min 54 sec
The sporting polymath
This week it’s all about those who turned their hand to something else! We hear from one time motor racing star Billy Monger on his latest success. Last year he became the fastest double amputee to win the infamous Hawaii Ironman, knocking a whole two hours off the old record! Montell Douglas is the only British woman to have competed at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. On both occasions in Beijing! She compares and contrasts those experiences Sweden’s Lennart Johansson is probably best remembered as the father of the Champions League. The then UEFA President he came up with the format which has been so successful. Sulo Karlsson is a Swedish rock legend and lead singer of the band Diamond Dogs. It was he who turned his hand to writing in order to co author Lennart’s autobiography. It started a close friendship which ended with Sulo performing one of Lennart’s favourite songs at his funeral! PHOTO: Billy Monger of Great Britain celebrates after finishing the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship on October 26, 2024 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
28 mars 2025 - 36 min 56 sec
Brotherly love
When Alistair Brownlee turned the corner and saw the finishing line, he was shocked to see the figure of a fellow competitor staggering in pain. Then he realised it was his brother Jonny. So what would you do? Keep going, grab the glory and the $30,000 prize money or stop and help and ruin both your chances of winning?! We relive an iconic moment of sportsmanship and find out why some competitors were less than happy with Alistair Brownlee’s actions… Plus we chat retirement with Alistair now a few months into his, and Jonny reaching the age when it is a consideration for him too! If ever a sporting organisation valued competing ahead of winning, it's the Olympics. The modern-day Games have been around since 1896, two years after the formation of the International Olympic Committee, or the IOC as it's known. As the Olympics grew, so did the role and power of the IOC and especially its president. Well on Thursday, a new president was elected but what challenges lie ahead for Kirsty Coventry? There's few better to assess the situation than David Stubley author of "Game Changers and Rainmakers" which documents the evolution of sport as a business, and the people that made it happen. The first Kabaddi World Cup to be held outside Asia has been taking place this week with players from across the world heading to England for the tournament. It's being staged in the city of Wolverhampton in the English Midlands. Both men’s and women’s games are being broadcast internationally, with teams from Poland, Hungary, Hong Kong and of course India among them. Sportshour's Nina Robinson has been to meet the England women’s team, many of whom are local to Wolverhampton, and find out why the city has established such a strong Kabbadi connection… PHOTO: Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain helps his brother Jonathan Brownlee (c) of Great Britain to cross the finished line as Jonathan collapsed of dehydration 200 meters before the finish line during the Men Elite ITU World Championship race in Cozumel, Mexico. (CREDIT: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
21 mars 2025 - 50 min 39 sec
The barefoot world record ice runner
Pawel Durakiewicz was on the verge of death through a deep addiction to alcohol, but now he's overcoming challenges of a different kind whilst helping others along the way. He tells Sportshour’s Shabnam Younus-Jewell about his story of addiction, recovery and transformation though sport and how his latest challenge saw him set another world record – this time running barefoot on snow and ice. Basketball player Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel refused to let rejection from her high school team, or the fact she was born with one arm, end her dream of playing the sport she loves. She has gone onto make history, becoming the first NCAA Division III women’s basketball player with one arm to score in a collegiate game. She explains the feeling of scoring and how she was determined to prove people wrong. Football can take coaches all around the world as they look to pursue their dreams. That’s the case for Shadab Iftikhar who has coached in England, Mongolia, Samoa, Scotland, Pakistan and now Bhutan. He shares what it’s like travelling and coaching in different countries and why he’s excited by his latest role. The first Kabaddi World Cup to be held outside Asia is being staged in England. Sportshour finds out more about the growth of the sport and the significance of the tournament with World Kabaddi President Ashok Das. *This programme contains discussions around alcohol abuse and suicide. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed or 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, via their website befrienders.org.* Image: Paweł Durakiewicz looks at his phone whilst socks are being put on him after he ran a half marathon barefoot on ice and snow. (Credit: Paweł Durakiewicz/Diamond Soul Foundation)
15 mars 2025 - 36 min 25 sec
Bouncing back
Bryony Page has had her ups and downs, but she always bounces back. She's got no choice she’s the reigning Olympics trampoline champion! And whilst she already has her sights set on retaining her title in LA in 2028, for the time being turning her attentions to the circus! The Cirque du Soleil to be precise. Oh and then there's the dinosaur sounds. All will be explained Photo: Bryony Page soars above the lights. (Credit: Simon Wright)
7 mars 2025 - 39 min 45 sec
The Snowbok arrives!
Step aside the Springboks, because South Africa's new sporting hero is... the Snowbok! On Wednesday Matt Smith became only the 16th South African in Winter Olympic history to qualify for the Games. He was competing at the World Nordic Championships, finishing high enough in the cross country skiing discipline to seal his place in Milan for next year's Olympics... Shortly after he got off the slope, and just before heading to the airport, Matt told Sportshour all about a crazy few years, and achieving his dream. You might think what with the Super Bowl fresh in the memory that the sport of American Football is taking it easy, feet up after a hard season... but actually that couldn't be further from the truth... This week those hoping to be the next generation of stars have been showing off their athletic ability at the "NFL Combine" One of the best placed people to explain all about it is Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg. Not least because Leigh is no regular agent. His track record of representing the top players is unrivalled and Tom Cruise played him in the Oscar winning movie 'Jerry Maguire'. Before he showed us behind the scenes of that famous phrase Leigh explained about what's been happening this week in Indianapolis. Paul Hodgson fell ill as a baby and his life changed forever, but it was his local football team that offered him an escape from the harsh unforgiving world, and it helped him not just get by, but thrive against all the odds. A story about one man's love for his football club, and the love that club gave back, and the crucial difference it made to his life. Paul's detailed this inspiring story in an autobiography called For the Love of Darlo: My Life and Fifty Years Supporting Darlington FC It’s the 5th round of the FA Cup this weekend and we’ll drop into the early kick-off very shortly where two of South London’s finest will face each other. But neither Crystal Palace nor Millwall have ever lifted the Cup... Unlike fellow South Londoners “Wanderers FC” who became the first side to win the competition way back in 1872. And after a golden era of success including winning the competition five times, the club folded in 1887. But over a century later, Wanderers FC has risen from the ashes. Mark Wilson is the club secretary and has been telling us about their FA Cup story. Photo: Matt Smith trains ahead of the World Nordic Championships. (Credit: Torbjørn Husevåg/Torbs Media)
1 mars 2025 - 35 min 38 sec
The solo ocean challenge and Damian King’s return to the waves
Craig Wood was just 18 when he lost both legs and his left arm in a roadside bomb whilst serving in the British Army in Afghanistan. 16 years on and he’s attempting to become the first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop across the Pacific. He tells Sportshour’s Shabnam Younus-Jewell the reasons for doing it and the challenges he’s expecting on the journey from Mexico to Japan. From an ocean challenge to someone who knows all about the waves - three-time world champion bodyboarder Damian King is making his comeback more than a decade after retiring from the sport. He shares what’s brought him back to Hawaii and why he will be using the board he rode to victory at the 2004 World Championships. One of the rising stars of women’s snooker, India’s Anupama Ramachandran reveals how it still feels like a dream from being introduced to the sport 10 years ago at a summer camp to now reaching a career-high seventh in the world rankings. And Jo Currie reports from Melbourne where Afghanistan's women cricketers have vowed to keep fighting cricket's world governing body for recognition after playing their first official match. Image: Damian King in action bodyboarding on a wave. (Supplied by Damian King)
22 feb. 2025 - 37 min 09 sec
Nada Hafez and her ‘baby Olympian'
Paris 2024 was Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez's third Olympic Games, but Paris was made extra special by the fact she was not competing alone – she was seven months pregnant. Six months on from the Olympics, and with her daughter now four months old, Nada tells Sportshour’s Nishat Ladha about her Olympic experience and what life has been like post Paris and becoming a mum. From the last Olympic Games to the next - as the countdown continues to lacrosse’s Olympics debut in 2028, a new professional women's lacrosse league is taking place in Washington this week. Sisters Meaghan and Emma Tyrrell are New York Charging teammates and Emma explains what it was like joining a Zoom call to find out whether they will be teammates or opponents. Nine-year-old climber Veronica Chik shares how she overcame her own fears to become the youngest Hong Kong climber to climb the 31-metre “China Climb” before winning gold at her first national championships. Team UK captain Stephen 'Hoops' Hooper joins from Canada where he’s competing at the Invictus Games where winter sports are part of the multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick armed forces personnel for the first time. And to celebrate World Radio Day, Ian Dennis, John Murray and Alistair Bruce-Ball, all familiar voices on Sportsworld tell us what makes radio football commentary so special. Image: Nada Hafez of Team Egypt applauds fans after her victory against Elizabeth Tartakovsky of Team United States (not pictured) in the Fencing Women's Sabre Individual Table of 32 on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Grand Palais on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
15 feb. 2025 - 36 min 50 sec