Keep the Flame Alive

Episode 156: NBC's Nick Zaccardi on Sydney 2000's Magic Monday

September 25, 2000 is known to Olympics fans as Magic Monday, where athletics fans got to see nine finals, including Cathy Freeman and Michael Johnson winning the 400m races. Nick Zaccardi, long-time Olympics editor at NBC Sports, joins us to talk about what made Magic Monday legendary. Follow Nick on Twitter and Insta, and read his many articles at NBC Olympics. What all happened on Magic Monday in Stadium Australia? Pole vault - women - inaugural competition Discus - men Triple Ju...

Episode 155: Olympian AJ Edelman on Skeleton

What's it like to become the first Olympian for your country in the sport of skeleton? Israeli athlete AJ Edelman tells us about his experiences in the sport of skeleton and his current work in building up Israel's bobsled and skeleton team in hopes of competing at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. Follow AJ on Insta and Twitter! Follow the Israeli bobsled team and check out its website. TKFLASTANIS in action: Tom Scott was profiled by the World Karate Federation Marnie McBean's speaking t...

Episode 154: Athlete Branding with Vickie Saunders

This week we're talking about how Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes develop their personal brand. Athlete branding expert Vickie Saunders, president of The Brand Builders, a company that specializes in educating and training individuals and organizations about branding, takes us through how elite athletes figure out how to create a brand that's authentic to them. Follow Vickie on Insta, Facebook and LinkedIn! Our TKFLASTANI Dawn Harper Nelson has a new YouTube channel called The...

Episode 153: The Big Update Show

We are back from vacation just in time to celebrate Tessa Gobbo Day. There's so much to catch up on that this week's show turned into one big update. First up, we talk about all of the Olympic and Paralympic movies we've seen during the break. The IOC Executive Board met, so there's some news from TBach and company. TKFLASTAN's been hoppin', so we've got tons of news from our Team Keep the Flame Alive and updates from Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, Paris 2024 and LA 2028. With all of this news, w...

Episode 152: Lightning Round with Joe Maloy, Dr. Claudia Reardon and Andrew Rock

It's Labor Day weekend in the US, so we're taking a holiday this week. Never fear, we have new content for you (and even Alison) -- a Lightning Round featuring TKFLASTANIS Joe Maloy, Dr. Claudia Reardon and Andrew Rock. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

Episode 151: Author David Davis on the History of Wheelchair Basketball

We're marking one year to go to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with a look at how the sport of wheelchair basketball developed. David Davis, author of the new book Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans from WWII Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation, joins us to talk about the fascinating history of this sport. Follow David on Twitter and get updates and get info about his other Olympic books at his website. In our Tokyo 2020 update, we mentioned...

Episode 150: Film Buff Fran on "Without Limits" and "Prefontaine"

Film Buff Fran is back for another edition of our movie club! We've got a double-feature this time, looking at two biopics on 1972 Olympic runner Steve Prefontaine. "Without Limits" stars Billy Crudup as the confident athlete, while "Prefontaine" stars Jared Leto in the same role. Which movie was more accurate? Which actor was the better Pre? Listen to find out! Our next movie will be an Indian film called "Gold: The Dream that United our Nation," about India's field hockey team at the Lon...

Episode 149: Leslie Klein on Elite Athlete Transition from Sport

If 2020 was a normal year, we would've just said good-bye to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics--and many athletes would be making big decisions about their futures. Since many athletes retire after an Olympics, we wanted to look at how elite athletes transition out of competitive life. To help us understand this topic, we talked with Leslie Klein, an Olympian who most recently was the Director of Athlete Career and Education (ACE) at the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee until the COVID-19 pandemic ...

Episode 148: Passing the Relay Baton with Olympian Andrew Rock

On the track, a relay team can make or break its race based on the quality of its baton handoffs. 2004 Olympic relay gold medalist and current Bethel University head track coach Andrew Rock walks us through the process of handing off the baton. And, we announce our virtual Closing Ceremonies meetup. You can follow Andrew's teams on social @bethelxctf and visit their website. As we mentioned on the show, the US women's 4x100 relay team had a tougher time qualifying for the finals at the Ri...

Episode 147: Book Club Claire on 1964

Book Club Claire is back to discuss 1964: The Greatest Year in the History of Japan: How the Tokyo Olympics Symbolized Japan’s Miraculous Rise from the Ashes by Roy Tomizawa. Also, we have found our nickname for John Coates--and we can't even take credit for it. Our next book is A Shot at History by Abhinav Bindra with Rohit Brijnath. There are a couple of versions - we’ll be reading the updated 2017 version. Look for your copy at bookstores and libraries, and we’ll discuss it in October. ...

Episode 146: The IOC's in Session

We report back on what went down in the International Olympic Committee's 136th Session, which is the big gathering of all IOC members. We've got an announcement from TBach, news from Tokyo 2020, plus reports from all of the other Games on the docket. Today is also one year to go until Tokyo 2020 (in 2021), so the Tokyo Organizing Committee had a recognition celebration. It was a little more somber than last year's, but beautifully done. Grab your Puffs -- you'll need them when you watch i...

Episode 145: Archivist Teri Hedgpeth on the Moscow 1980 Olympic Boycott

This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the Moscow 1980 Olympics, which may be better known for the 66-country boycott of them. Our TKFLASTANI archivist Teri Hedgpeth joins us to talk about the boycott and a new exhibit she put together for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee that honors the US athletes who were affected by it. Follow Teri on LinkedIn! We are working on a side project about the 1980 boycott from a global aspect, so if you were involved or have historical context t...

Episode 144: Ken Hanscom on Tokyo Olympic Travel

We welcome back our TKFLASTANI travel expert Ken Hanscom, COO of Ticket Manager, who tells us the latest on how to make plans to travel to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021. Follow Ken on Twitter and Insta. Follow Ticket Manager on Twitter. We also have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT about our plans to celebrate one year to Tokyo 2020 on July 24! Look for more details on our Insta, Twitter, Facebook Page and Facebook Group this week! Our TKFLASTANIs have been on a bunch of podcasts and in documentar...

Episode 143: Lighting Round - Hannah Brown, Ken Hanscom & Maura Grogan

This week is Canada Day and American Independence Day, so we're celebrating with a Lightning Round episode. This one features our TKFLASTANI archery official Hannah Brown, travel/tickets expert Ken Hanscom and 1976 Olympic luger Maura Grogan.

Episode 142: Derek Leung on the Geology of Curling Stones

We need to cool off, so we're hitting the ice -- the curling ice, that is. On this episode we talk with Derek Leung, a graduate student pursuing a research master’s in geology at the University of Edinburgh. His focus is on the damage evolution of curling stones, so we wanted to hear what he's discovered about the rocks themselves. Derek has a YouTube channel called Minerals Rock! where you can see his slo-mo research in action. He also has a GoFundMe page to help defray the costs of studyi...

Episode 141: Dr. Claudia Reardon on ADHA in Elite Athletes

Simone Biles and Michael Phelps are among the Olympians who have ADHD. But what is that disorder, and how does it affect elite athletes? Dr. Claudia Reardon, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and co-chair of the International Olympic Committee's working group "Mental Health in Elite Athletes," joins us to talk about how athletes can manage and excel with this condition.

Episode 140: Canoeist András Törő's Olympics

We welcome back 4x canoe sprint Olympian András Törő, and in this episode we talk about his Olympic experiences at Rome 1960, where he won a bronze medal; Tokyo 1964, where he defected; Munich 1972, which suffered a terrorist attack, and Montreal 1976. Also, we follow up on the latest developments in the IOC's and USOPC's efforts to acknowledge athletes' opinions and desires when it comes to making protests. Plus there's information from the IOC's latest Executive Board meeting, and some new...

Episode 139: Protests Throughout Olympic History

It's been a tough week in America--and in cities around the world that are rising up against racism and social injustice. In hundreds of cities, people are banding together to make a statement about the brutal killing of George Floyd and to demand change. Because of the situation going on in the world, we wanted to take some time and look at protests that have occurred on the Olympic stage throughout its existence, even though Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states, "No kind of demonstratio...

Episode 138: Lightning Round 9: Marnie McBean, Kelly Claes & Karolos Grohmann

It's a holiday week here in the US, so we've got a Lightning Round episode for you. Past guests Marnie McBean, Kelly Claes and Karolos Grohmann face up to the slow roll of our lightning round questions. Follow our guests: Marnie: Twitter | Insta | Website Kelly: Twitter | Insta | Website Karolos: Twitter Also, here's Marnie's amazing Barcelona 1992 Opening Ceremonies uniform. This is a national treasure. Thank you to all of our Patreon patrons! If you like what you hear, please su...

Episode 137: Dr. Kristin Keim on Sports & Mental Health during COVID-19

It's Mental Health Awareness Month, so we welcome Dr. Kristin Keim back to the show to talk to us about how athletes -- and non-athletes -- can think about how to care for our mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow Kristin online on Insta, Twitter and Facebook. In our visit to TKFLASTAN, we learn that Teri Hedgpeth has left the USOPC, but not before putting together a bunch of virtual exhibits. Jackie Wong was on Jeopardy--get the highlights on his Twitter feed. Brianna D...

Episode 136: Andras Törő on Canoe Sprint

It's week 2 of canoe! On this episode, 4x Olympian Andras Törő tells us details about the Canoe Sprint discipline that will help us watch it better at the Olympics. Andras is pretty amazing. Competing for Hungary, Andras won a silver medal in the Men's 1000m C2 event (that's doubles) at the Rome 1960 Olympics. [check out this video of his event - his boat's in the middle. Was Hungary robbed?]He competed at Tokyo 1964 in singles, and came in 4th. That's when he decided to defect to the US. ...

Bonus Episode: #GivingTuesdayPodcasts

It's #GivingTuesday, so we're participating in the movement to give a boost to independent podcasters by recommending three podcasts we've been loving: Hear Her Sports Why I'll Never Make It Podcast Gumbo Listen to why we love them and add them to your podcast playlist!

Episode 135: Olympian Luuka Jones on Canoe Slalom

We're back! Same fun Olympics podcast, but a brand new name! We're still getting things transitioned over to the new name -- you'll see a new website soon, and the back catalog will get reconfigured as well. We have all new social media handles--new accounts actually, so please follow us and help others find us. It's the same across Insta, Twitter and Facebook--@flamealivepod. Our Facebook Group is Keep the Flame Alive Podcast. We welcome New Zealand Olympic medalist and silver fern owne...

trailer

Coming Soon: Keep the Flame Alive

New name, same great Olympics podcast!

Episode 134: Film Buff Fran on "Miracle"

It's our last episode of Olympic Fever (but don't worry, we're not going anywhere--we're just changing our name)! This week, we're having a Movie Club meeting, so that means a visit from Film Buff Fran. Fran joins us to discuss "Miracle," the story of the 1980 US men's ice hockey team, also known as the "Miracle on Ice." DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for infor...

Episode 133: Book Club Claire on "Games of Deception"

Book Club Claire is back to discuss "Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany" by Andrew Maraniss. We also hear from author Roy Tomizawa about his book "1964," which is our next selection. We wonder which Team Olympic Fever Quarantine House we should stay in, and we have some gymnastics qualification updates for Tokyo 2020.   DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee...

Episode 132: Catching Up with Tom Scott and Sean Colahan

We're catching up with more members of Team Olympic Fever to see how they're faring in the COVID-19 pandemic. Today we're chatting with our karate Olympic hopeful Tom Scott and video journalist Sean Colahan. Plus, we talk about the Olympic flame's current location, and we have a new self-isolation Olympic sport we think should be up for consideration in the Olympic program. Follow Tom Scott: Facebook Insta Twitter Follow Sean Colahan on Twitter. DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark ...

Episode 131 - An NGB Perspective with USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews

Today we're learning what the Olympics are like from a National Governing Body (NGB) point of view. Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Weightlifting joins us to talk about what his NGB does for its elite, Olympic-bound athletes, as well as for its clubs, coaches and other athlete members. We also talk about drug testing in the wake of COVID-19 and how that's especially important to the sport of weightlifting. Follow Phil on Twitter and Insta, and check out his website!  USA Weightlifting is curren...

Episode 130: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Postponed

It's official: The Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We look at the timeline of the decision. We also check in with Team Olympic Fever members Jacqueline Simoneau, DeAnna Price, Samantha Schultz and new members Dr. Mary O'Connor and Phil Andrews to see how they're doing. We also discuss some of the thousands of pieces that are in play in rescheduling the Games for (likely) 2021. DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralym...

Episode 129: John MacLeod, Montreal 1976 Olympic Water Polo Player

We welcome John MacLeod back to the show to talk about his experiences as a member of Team Canada's 1976 Olympic water polo team. John tells us what it was like to make the team, travel behind the Iron Curtain and march in the Opening Ceremonies. We also discuss what it was like to return to normal life after having a great Olympic experience, and how that transition can be difficult. Jill also tells a couple of Olympic-related stories of when she visited Innsbruck back in 1992 (her clothes ...

Episode 128: Maura Grogan, U.S. Luge Pioneer

We're going back to 1976 to hear one Olympian's story of what life was like on the luge track at a time when there wasn't even a U.S. Luge Association. Maura Grogan, née Haponski, tells us how she got involved in the sport as a high schooler, what it was like to train with hardly any resources, and about her time at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck. This is definitely the story of taking Pierre de Coubertin to heart and valuing the participation aspect of the Olympics (but hey, the U.S. team f...

Episode 127: The Evolution of Olympic Commercialism

We're back! We definitely needed that break from learning we have to rename our show, but now we need to come up with a name. That's where you come in – we're having a Show Name Suggestion Bonanza, and we'd like your input! [note: this is not a contest; we're just looking for ideas]. Fill out the form here – it's got a list of considerations we have to keep in mind. We'll take suggestions through March 15, 2020. Thanks for your participation! On to today's show: The Olympics used to be a...

Episode 126: Lightning Round 8

While we're taking a break after last week's big news, we've got a Lightning Round episode for you. This edition features hammer thrower DeAnna Price, taekwondo athlete Madelynn Gorman-Shore, swimmer Mallory Comerford and gymnast Jake Dalton. **DISCLAIMER:  OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official ...

Episode 125: Change Is in the Air

We've got a big announcement about the future of the show -- we tell you all about it in this episode. DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any...

Episode 124: Hannah Brown, Olympic Archery Official

Might Alison have found a distant relative? We're talking archery with Hannah Brown, the chair of officials for the Tokyo 2020 archery tournament. She tells us how an archery tournament is set up, and what she remembers from tournaments (hint: It's not who wins). She did the test event too, so she describes the Tokyo venue and how you can "have a go" if you have tickets to any of the archery dates at the Olympics. [If you do go, and you hear massive cheering for the officials, Jill's in the ...

Episode 123: Jake Dalton's Olympics

We're back in the gym with U.S. gymnast Jake Dalton, who tells us about his experiences at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. We also learn about the strategy involved in the gymnastics team competition. Follow Jake on Facebook, Insta and Twitter. Also subscribe to his YouTube channel for more gymnastics videos! Our Team Olympic Fever Update, sponsored by PinCollector.com, includes the latest results from bobsledder Lauren Gibbs and speedskater Erin Jackson. Bobsled stud Josh William...

Episode 122: Olympic Hopeful Mallory Comerford on Swimming

We're diving in the pool this week! Mallory Comerford, Olympic hopeful, US National Team member and swimmer for the International Swim League's Cali Condors, shares some tips on what freestylers are doing in the water, so we viewers can better figure out what's going on in the pool (beyond the drive to be the fastest swimmer). Of course, since it's us, we also want the lowdown on swimsuits--Mallory's an ambassador for Arena, one of the big global swimwear brands--shampoo and shaving. We go...

Episode 121: Book Club Claire on "The Suspect"

Book Club Claire is back! We've got a rousing discussion of "The Suspect: An Olympic Bombing, the FBI, the Media, and Richard Jewell, the Man Caught in the Middle" by Kent Alexander & Kevin Salwen. The book covers the story of the bombing during the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and how the rise of the 24-hour media cycle contributed to getting the story wrong. Claire also talks with Andrew Maraniss, the author of our next selection. Find out more about that book on our Book Club page. Be sure t...

Episode 120: Olympic Hopeful Kelly Claes on Beach Volleyball

We're hitting the beach with Olympic hopeful beach volleyball athlete Kelly Claes. Kelly and her partner Sarah Sponcil are currently ranked 8th in the world….although that might not be enough to get them to Tokyo. Kelly tells us all about the sport and how they're dealing with the pressure of the upcoming Games. Plus, the Tokyo 2020 ticket design has been released, and we talk about who might be throwing in bids for the 2030 and 2032 Olympics. Follow Kelly on Twitter and Insta (be sure to ...

Episode 119: Film Buff Fran on "Chariots of Fire"

Movie Club is now in session! We welcome our newest contributor Fran Johnson (aka Film Buff Fran) to lead us in a discussion of "Chariots of Fire," the Academy Award- and BAFTA-winning story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, British runners who competed at the Paris 1924 Olympics. As mentioned in the show, there was a documentary produced in the run up to London 2012 that traced the real Chariots of Fire. Also, Listener Don and his wife Liz are watching, eating and blogging their way ...

Episode 118: "Next Olympic Hopeful" Winner Leah Fair Takes on Skeleton

Team USA recently aired Season 3 of its "The Next Olympic Hopeful" program in which it tests athletes from around the country to find potential talent that can fill out the development programs in some of the smaller sports on the Olympic program. Skeleton winner Leah Fair joins us to talk about her experience on the show, what it's like to hurl yourself down a mountain face first, and what she learned about custom fitting a skeleton helmet. Plus, there's a new chapter for both the Maranovel...

Episode 117: Lightning Round 7

Jill and Alison are celebrating the Christmas and New Year's holidays, so that means it's time for another Olympic Lightning Round episode where we hear from past guests. This time we have lightning round questions for ice technician and Zamboni driver Adam Stirn, gymnast Chellsie Memmel and author Roy Tomizowa. Our show sponsor this week is RR Auction. Founded in 1976, RR Auction is a globally recognized and trusted source for Olympic memorabilia, and its January Olympic auction is onli...

Episode 116: Olympian Jake Dalton Explains Men's Gymnastics

We're wading back into the gymternet because we need to learn some of the finer points of men's artistic gymnastics before we watch them at Tokyo 2020. Two-time U.S. Olympic gymnast and world medalist Jake Dalton walks us through all of the apparatuses and gives us more details about them. We also talk about The Dalton, sandpaper—and of course, biceps. We'll have Jake back on the show in a few weeks to talk about his Olympic experiences at London 2012 and Rio 2016! Follow Jake on Faceboo...

Episode 115: Catching Up with "The Next Olympic Hopeful" Winner Lindsey Mayo

It's a bad news, good news kind of week. First, the bad news: Russia's out of the Olympics for the next four years (pending appeal) due to the continued issues with doping. We've got opinions--and lots of sighs. But the good news is great: We catch up with "The Next Olympic Hopeful" winner and Team Olympic Fever rugby player Lindsey Mayo to see what she's been up to in the year since her win. Let's just say we're surprised where in the world we found her. Don't forget to follow Lindsey o...

Episode 114: Team Canada Chef de Mission Marnie McBean

We often hear the title "chef de mission" mentioned during an Olympics, but what is it that a chef actually does? We get the scoop from Team Canada's chef de mission to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Marnie McBean. Marnie is a multi-medal winning Canadian Olympic rower who competed at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, winning 3 gold and 1 bronze. A back injury sidelined her while at Sydney 2000 and led to her retirement. Tokyo 2020 will be her 10th Olympics – she's gone as an athlete, as a member...

Episode 113: Lightning Round 6

It's American Thanksgiving, so we're serving up a Lightning Round featuring Team Olympic Fever members Harry Blutstein, Tim Yount and Tom Scott. Be sure to follow Harry at his website and Tom on Facebook, Insta and Twitter. Plus, we've got a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT about the show--and the latest in the IOC's hotelnovela. Jill's got a theory--and it's a good one! Because it's Thanksgiving, we wanted to be sure we thanked you for listening and supporting us in so many ways. We love being abl...

Episode 112: Olympic Hopeful Madelynn Gorman-Shore on Taekwondo

This week we talk with Olympic hopeful Madelynn Gorman-Shore to understand how the sport of Taekwondo works. We learn that it's much more than just kicking people in the head, it's also the sport of very expensive socks. Follow Madelynn on Insta! In our Team Olympic Fever update, Josh Williamson is starting off his bobsled season right; XC skier Kikkan Randall has a sweet new appointment; and hockey referee Jessica Leclerc is featured in the New York Times. We also have the latest in t...

Episode 111: Book Club Claire on "Munich 1972"

Book Club Claire is back! We discuss our latest pick, Munich 1972: Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph at the Olympic Games by David Clay Large. If you finished it—and Jill finished it with all of four minutes to go before we taped—congratulations! This one was a tough one to get through, although there are sections that are really interesting (and if you like to learn details about Olympics preparations, a good half of the book is for you). The Munich Olympics is unfortunately first remembered ...

Episode 110: DeAnna Price's Olympic Experience

U.S. Olympian and World Champion Hammer Thrower DeAnna Price is back to tell us about her experiences at the Rio 2016 Olympics and take some listener questions. Plus, a Team Olympic Fever member is making a comeback, and we've got the end of the Tokyo 2020 marathon/race walking saga (or is it?). When DeAnna talks about "her girls," you can see the love in this video when Fiodorow congratulates her. Warning: You might need a tissue for this one. Follow DeAnna on Insta and Twitter! From ...