Sportshour

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 College of Contemporary Music, on football anthems.Image: Angella Okutoyi of Kenya celebrates winning a point against Carolina Kuhl of Germany during her first round Juniors match on Day 7 of the US Open Tennis Championships at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on September 04, 2022 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

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 title.And – NFL Fan of the Year and US comedian Tom Grossi returns to Sportshour to share his latest challenge of visiting five countries and seven international NFL stadiums in 10 days, passing a $1 million raised for charity in the process.Image: Tayla Relph riding for TAYCO Motorsport during testing ahead of the inaugural FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship season. (Credit: Click Diversity)

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 teammates can improve their chance of scoring a free throw? The University of Basel's Christiane Büttner tells us more about what their research has found.(Image: Borussia Dortmund fan Raphael Kopp outside Wembley Stadium holding up his ticket on the UEFA app ahead of Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid. Credit: Rob Adcock)

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 to her fourth Olympic Games this summer? She'll tell us about the powerful women in the sport, her experience of gender equality in coaching and her journey to Paris.Award winning journalist Joe Posnanski tells us why we should love baseball and divulges his equation for what he thinks makes a great sporting moment. He also shares a few of his favourite moments from the sport's history picked from his new book “Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments”.We'll also find out how the iconic Champions League final music was made ahead of the biggest club game in football.PHOTO: Kelly Holmes during The British Diversity Awards 2024 at Grosvenor House on March 20, 2024 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

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 a teacher. We check back in former South African Netballer Vanes-Mari du Toit about her record breaking swim in the Himalayas. She was part of the Mad Swimmers team, who swam in a new body of water found at 6405 metres above sea level on Everest. She explains how the hike and swim were and why we need to take note..Cuban weightlifter Ramiro Mora Romero tells us about making the Olympic Refugee Team via the circus and an army barracks. Now the British record holder in the 89kg, 96kg and 102kg weight categories ahead of Paris, explains how he has fulfilled a long term promise of making an Olympic games to his parents, who died when he was young.Image: Chou Tien-chen punches the air when competing at the 2024 Thailand Open. (Credit: BWF/Badmintonphoto)

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, located in the extreme south of Porto Alegre, on May 14, 2024 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. After several days of heavy rain, Porto Alegre and many other municipalities in Rio Grande Do Sul are flooded due to the swelling of the rivers. (Photo by Jefferson Bernardes/Getty Images)

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 us why he chose wrestling, why he wanted to highlight the challenge of refugees fitting into a new country and how important it was for him to cast real refugees in the film.We'll get the inside track on horse racing's oldest racecourse, the Roodee – more commonly known as Chester Racecourse. Sportshour reporter Richard Padula finds out why former Ballon d'or winner Michael Owen is so enamoured with the sport and the course.On Eurovision Grand Final day, BBC Sport's music aficionado Pat Nevin casts his ear across the fancied songs for this year's competition. Croatia are strong favourites but are they Pat's?Plus, what links American footballer Brandon Mebane, Footballer Douglas Luiz and Formula One Driver Daniel Ricciardo? The answer – Bellydancing and to mark World Bellydancing Day, we'll get a tutorial from Heather Eggins from Belly Dance Heaven.Photo: Sumo wrestlers practice in James Grammer's apartment turned sumo Beya in New York. (Credit: James Grammer)

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.(Photo: Jake Peacock after winning on his ONE Championship debut against Kohei Shinjo in Bangkok in April 2024. Credit: ONE Championship)

***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 impact as the club his team are named after - Manchester United – and tell us why the issue of head injuries is so important to him. Star player Ahmed Salam also tells us what it's like to wear the headgear during games.Darcy Budworth tells about the “alley-cat” race series Take The Bridge that she founded. The races held in the dead of night in some of the worlds biggest cities, have a start point and an end but the route is up to you. The only rule is that you have to make the checkpoints dotted around the city selected. Nine years after its creation, Darcy tells us why it was important to her to bring the fun back into running.And the London Marathon's “wine guy” drops in. Wine specialist Tom Gilbey went viral on social media, when he tested his palate every mile of the London Marathon, guessing which wine he was being offered. He tells us why he did it and gives Caroline a wine-tasting lesson.Photo: Esti Olivier takes part in a Canoe Sprint race. (Credit: Sean van der Westhuizen)

***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 most gruelling events in world sport. It covers over 200 kilometres with a swim, a bike ride and a run. But how about making it just that little bit more difficult ? Australia's David Lowry has been doing just that. He tells us about trading the traditional slick and aerodynamic road bike for a BMX version in memory of his brother Damien, who he lost to suicide. And he wants to ask the all important question – R U OK?We also hear from 83-year-old Kiko Rutter. He will be running the London Marathon, raising money for a mission hospital close to his heart but on the other side of the world. The hospital on Vella Lavella, one of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific was ran by his father ran over 80 years ago. Kiko wants to continue his good work to make sure those most in need are provided for.And how far can you swim? How about how high? Seven “mad swimmers” will be looking to break an unwanted world record of the highest altitude swim in a new body of water found in the Himalayas. Former South African netball star Vanes-Mari du Toit is one of those attempting the feat at 6450 metres and tells us why it's another alarming sign (Photo: Tracy Otto. Credit: Tracy Otto)

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Bára Votíková tells Sportshour's Caroline Barker about how she balances her football career alongside being one of the Czech Republic's best known and most followed content creators. She tells us about using her social media platforms to advocate for gay rights, and how she deals with the haters.New Zealand pole vaulter Eliza McCartney is about to take a leap of faith ahead of the Paris Olympics. Since winning bronze at the 2016 Games in Rio, the 27-year-old has suffered many years of injury frustration. However 2024 brought silver at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow - her first international podium finish in six years, since taking Commonwealth silver on the Gold Coast. She tells us about life on the road with a massive stick!When French midfielder Aurelien Tchouemeni was asked earlier this season by his team Real Madrid to play a match for them in central defence, all he needed to help him prepare for the game was a virtual reality headset in his living room. But, does the technology really work and how can it help improve players skill set? Sportshour's Andy Jones tried the new tech out to see if he could go from his messy living room to just plain old Messi.Photo: Barbora Votikova, celebrates the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter Final First Leg match between Bayern Munchen and Paris Saint-German March 22, 2022 (Credit Arthur Thill ATPImages/Getty Images)

Please note: This episode contains discussions and references to mental health and drug 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: www.befrienders.orgFor 10 years, quarterback Erik Kramer had it all - fame, fortune and the chance to land the NFL's biggest prize with the Detroit Lions and then the Chicago Bears. Despite the trappings that success brings, Kramer carried a burden - crushing depression that worsened following personal losses after retirement. He's been telling Sportshour's Caroline Barker about what led him to the depths of despair and redemption.India's premier triathlete Pragnya Mohan is attempting to qualify for Paris and become the first Indian triathlete to compete at an Olympic Games. If she does, she hopes it will produce the kind of media exposure which will encourage other girls to take up professional sport in her country, despite the challenges, something she had to overcome herself. As a young girl she repaired an old abandoned bike and set to work on her dream. Now she runs a project aimed at giving every girl in India access to a bicycle We find out about the most dominant football team you have never heard of... The women who played for them and the woman who is trying to make sure the world knows their story... back in the 1960's women were banned from playing football in the UK, but that didn't stop some teams from trying... and one team showed the way. Manchester based Corinthians. In fact, they conquered the world! Now a film is being produced to share this forgotten piece of football history. We speak to a former player and the film's producer Photo: Erik Kramer #12 of the Chicago Bears sets up to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game on September 3, 1995 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Kramer played for the Bears from 1994-1998. (Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

In March 2024 Camille Heron cemented her place as the greatest Ultra Marathon runner of all time. She broke the six day world best, clocking an astonishing 560 miles. That's further than running from New York to Washington and back in 6 days, roughly the distance of Accra to Lagos and back in SIX DAYS!! She's been telling Sportshour's Nishat Ladha about her achievement.As Cambridge and Oxford line up against each other, who will mastermind their way to victory in the 2024 University boat race? Oxford Women's President Ella Stadler takes on her Cambridge counterpart Jenna Armstrong in special edition of Sportshour's University Challenge.Football means a lot of things to different people and for many it's an integral part of life. It certainly is for author Mark Davies, who a few years ago was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. His whole world changed forever, except for one thing, one constant. Football was his crutch that, as it turned out, supported him through the very darkest times and it's why he wrote his book "A Love Letter to Football"Jeanee Crane-Mauzy is hoping to compete at the next Winter Olympics for the country she has just taken citizenship for, Vanuatu. The South Pacific islands, not known for its winter sports, is under major strain fighting the effects of climate change. Jeanee, who has competed at the Freestyle Ski World Cup in the Ski Halfpipe, is hoping to raise awareness of the situation by competing on the world's biggest stage for her newly adopted country at the Games in Italy in 2026.Photo: Camille Heron completing her record breaking run. Credit: @runcamille/Instagram)

Rikke Sevecke was living the dream! She'd fought the odds to make it into professional football despite all the barriers in her way. She'd played in England for Everton and represented her country, Denmark at the World Cup, and had just signed for one of the biggest teams in America. Living the dream. Then just two months ago in January 2024, out of nowhere, she was ordered to stop playing, immediately. It had taken just one phone call from a doctor to bring her world crashing down around her. Rikke had been diagnosed with a serious heart condition, and if she carried on playing it could have proved fatal. She's been speaking to Sportshour's Caroline Barker about how she is coming to terms with the life changing moment.US women's scrum half Alena Olsen on channelling the heart break of missing out on the Tokyo Games, by putting in everything she can into making the Paris Olympics, as part of the US Women's Sevens squad. She's tells us that despite being a part of the bronze medal winning World Cup team in 2022, her Olympic dreams still hang in the balance.What does it take to become the NFL's fan of the year? Comedian Tom Grossi knows, he picked up the award last year after he successfully completed seemingly impossible challenge of visiting all thirty NFL stadia in just thirty days?! But it came at a cost and he has the scars to prove it!Photo: Denmark's Rikke Sevecke is on hand as Xu Huan of China PR fails to save a shot on goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup match between Denmark and China at Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Credit: by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Sport, racism and protests are about to change the lives of “the Black 14” American footballers. It's 1969 in the United States. They've arrived on scholarships at the University of Wyoming to play for its Cowboys American football team. It was a predominantly white college. The team is treated like a second religion. Then, the players make a decision to take a stand against racism in a game against another university.This is episode one of a four-part season from the Amazing Sport Stories podcast. Content warning: This episode contains lived experiences which involve the use of strong racist language.

Rikke Sevecke was living the dream! She'd fought the odds to make it into professional football despite all the barriers in her way. She'd played in England for Everton and represented her country, Denmark at the World Cup, and had just signed for one of the biggest teams in America. Living the dream. Then just two months ago in January 2024, out of nowhere, she was ordered to stop playing, immediately. It had taken just one phone call from a doctor to bring her world crashing down around her. Rikke had been diagnosed with a serious heart condition, and if she carried on playing it could have proved fatal. She's been speaking to Sportshour's Caroline Barker about how she is coming to terms with the life changing moment.Photo: Rikke Sevecke #4 of Denmark goes forward during a FIFA World Cup 2023 Group D match between Denmark and China PR at Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Creidt: Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Racing Louisville FC defender Carson Pickett was born without part of her left arm and Pickett went viral in 2019 after she was pictured giving an arm-bump with a young fan who was also missing part of his left arm. In 2022, Carson Pickett became the first player with a limb difference to play for the United States women's team and she told BBC Sportshour's Caroline Barker how her life has changed since that photo went viral.Where to start with Merle Liivand? A friend of the show, she spoke to us last year about how she combines her sports career as an open water swimmer with her environmental campaigning. Something she is about to be honoured for by the Estonian government. She's known as "The Mermaid" because she picks up rubbish when she's swimming at sea. Check out the Sportshour archive for more about that, but for now she is simply the latest in our series "Olympic Hopefuls" as we hear about her attempts to make it to Paris in July. Baseball's MLB season gets underway on Wednesday, but the first game between the San Diego Padres and the LA Dodgers isn't in California, it's in South Korea. The league are keen to develop an ever growing passion for baseball in East Asia fuelled in no small part by Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese super star whose switch to the LA Dodgers in the close season created the biggest contract in sports history. Sportshour's Adam Samuel reports.Sport and art are often at the leading edge of breaking down barriers and changing ill-conceived stereotypes of people and communities. Last week "Killers of the Flower Moon" actor Lily Gladstone just missed out on becoming the first Indigenous or Native American person to win an Oscar for acting, but her nomination will inspire many to pursue careers in a field they thought might not be for them. Same with sport, from Jim Thorpe to Ryneldi Becenti... We hear about how the next generation of Indigenous athletes is being nurturedPhoto: Carson Pickett pictured giving an arm-bump to Joseph Tidd, the then 2-year-old who was also missing part of his left arm. (Credit: @tiddbit_outta_hand/Instagram)

Some say that golf is "a good walk ruined", for others the sport is where they go to escape. For Patrick Koenig it became a quest to discover more about himself, the sport and the country he lives in. He tells Sportshour's Caroline Barker what he learned as he broke the record for most number of 18 hole golf courses played in one year.Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix we look at the future of motor sport and it's reliance on gas and petrol, as it is hosted in the country that produces the second most amount of oil in the world. But could it be other factors, as well as environmental concerns, that promotes electric car racing to prominence in the years to come? In Ellis Spiezia the evidence looks strong. At just 17 he's already making a name for himself in electric car racing, turning his back on the traditional F1 dream, but not just because its cleaner for the world.Fencer, environmentalist, wedding officiant... Is there anything Oppong Hemeng Ghana's Olympic hopeful can't do?! He tells us about his eclectic interests and the pride he has in representing Ghana.The next two Olympics are taking place in Europe... and whilst there are some concerns about the effect of heat at the summer Games in Paris in four months, you might be surprised to hear that there's the same worry ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy... and the answer to that, artificial snow, isn't the panacea you might think it is... Claudia Collivia and Giada Santana reportsQuincy Williams is the charismatic New York Jets line-backer, you might have seen dressing up before NFL games in outrageous Halloween costumes... He's larger than life who alongside his brother terrorises opponents whilst smiling and laughing. He's in the UK to help announce the expansion of the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag league. And to search out new fashions and footwear.Photo: Record breaking golfer Patrick Koenig playing a golf shot while stood on top of his motorhome (Credit: Patrick Koenig)

Back in September, just days before she was due to give birth Sportshour's Shabnam Younus-Jewell spoke to one of the current triathlon team Olympic Champions, Jess Learmonth. She spoke about her concerns and hopes about becoming a first time mum and balancing her new responsibilities with a desire to defend the title she won in Tokyo by making Team GB and competing in Paris in just 4 months time. Well find out how it's all going!From the chill of Iceland comes a story to warm your heart! Kari Vidarsson grew up in a small village on the island and watched as his father spearheaded and attempt to build a football pitch and get a team together to compete in the Icelandic FA Cup... It ended in a single 10-0 defeat away from home... 20 years passed and Kari decided he wanted to complete the journey and get a local team to play a home game in the village. A documentary "The Home Game" which is being screened at the Glasgow Film Festival, followed Kari and the 350 others in his village as they came together and proved that with unity and a will to get things done, anything is possible!?Photo: Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Jessica Learmonth and Jonathon Brownlee of Team Great Britain pose with their gold medals following the Mixed Relay Triathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Caroline Barker speaks to the first women of colour crew members to race around Cape Horn. Vuyisile Jaca from South Africa, Junella King from Antigua and Maryama Seck from France made history while taking part in the Ocean Globe Race on the iconic yacht, Maiden. We also hear from Tracy Edwards MBE, who skippered the first ever all female crew to round the horn 35 years ago on the same vessel Could Patrick Mahomes add Olympic Gold to his Super Bowl rings? Winning an Olympic gold medal to go alongside Super Bowl rings is now a very real prospect for NFL, as flag football makes its debut at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Flag football is five-a-side game, played on a smaller pitch and no contact is allowed. So how did the relatively unknown sport of flag football get to the Olympics? And will we see another US Olympic Dream Team? Milan fashion week is in full flow so what better time to look at the 'haute couture' of the humble and sometimes stylish football kit. We try to distinguish between the fabulous and the fashion faux pas with John Blair author of "A Culture of Kits: The Definitive Guide to Classic Football Shirt Collecting" Plus, we learn about Harry Edwards, Britain's first black Olympic medallist, through a new book: ‘When I Passed the Statue of Liberty I Became Black' by Neil Duncanson.Photo: The crew of The Maiden before setting off round Cape Horn Credit: The Maiden Factor/Kaia Bint Savage/Najiba Noori

Tobey Berriault took up speed-skating in her teenage years, spending many hours training at the famous Olympic Oval in Calgary. After just missing out on qualifying for her home Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, she took up a new career as a peacekeeper for the United Nations. She tells Sportshour what her role entails and how she's used her sporting career to help her in conflict areas and warzones.Have you ever worn protective headgear while surfing? Davon Larson tells us about the stigma around wearing helmets out on the waves, after he invented a new helmet called Surf Skull, designed to appeal to the most fashion conscious surfer. He describes the accident that inspired the invention. Gregg Stevenson lost both his legs in an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan in 2009, while serving as a Royal Marine Commando in the British Military. He goes into the 2024 Paralympics in Paris as a favourite for rowing gold. Gregg's tells us how the sport helped get his life on track. We'll also cover snooker's "fourth major" ahead of its debut in Saudi Arabia and check-in at the NBA All-Star weekend as Steph Curry takes on Sabrina Ionescu in a battle of the sexes.(Photo: Tobey Berriault)

Game day has arrived, so join Caroline Barker and former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter for the complete guide to Super Bowl 58. Who to look out for, how the game will be won and if history will repeat itself as Kansas City look to defend their title against the San Francisco 49ers? Plus an exclusive interview with SpongeBob Square Pants best mate Patrick Star as they prepare to give an alternative commentary of Sunday's game for younger viewers for the first time.Photo: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs hoists the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Some claim that the romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has been manufactured by the NFL for political gain, and whilst that is clearly nonsense we look at the impact of Swift's relationship with the NFL.Shaquem Griffin was born with amniotic band syndrome causing the fingers on his left hand not to fully develop. The pain was so intense that at 4 years of age he grabbed a butcher knife, planning to cut the hand off. His mother took the knife away, and scheduled an amputation the next day… Despite the obvious setback of only having one hand, Shaquem still fulfilled his dream and played in the NFL for four seasons. He tells us his story. And Cyndy Feasel who watched on helpless as her husband, former NFL star Grant Feasel died the victim of alcohol abuse and a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. She tells us about one NFL wife's story of concussions, loss, and the faith that saw her through.Plus, in the year America elects its next president we explore the relationship between the Super Bowl and the Commander in Chief.And we speak to SpongeBob Square pants best friend Patrick Starr as he prepares to give an alternative commentary of Sunday's game for younger viewers!

Alex Gold and Cody Tapp from KCSP 610 Sports Radio in Kansas join Caroline Barker to discuss the hopes of the reigning Super Bowl champions, and if they can become the first team in twenty-years to win back-to-back? Plus could Patrick Mahomes win something not even Tom Brady has? The man behind the push to get Flag Football to the Olympics tells us that he expects Patrick Mahomes to be at the front of the queue to represent Team USA and add an Olympic gold to his Super Bowl rings. We hear from a host of top NFL names on what they want more Olympic gold or Super Bowl ring.Photo: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) calls the play in the huddle during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)

We look into the San Francisco 49ers as they attempt to stop the reigning champions Kansas from back to back Super Bowls. Caroline Barker is joined by CBS's Gianna Marie Franco. Next to her is KNBR's Greg Papa who gives us a demonstration of the call he hopes to make as he commentates on his side on Sunday. We'll also analyse the strengths of quarterback Brock Purdy as he attempts to go from Zero to hero. Picked last in the 2022 draft he has defied the odds and the nickname given to the last player drafted Mr Irrelevant. We hear from the first and only Mr Irrelevant to have won a Super Bowl ring, Marty Moore… Plus NFL journalist and San Francisco fanatic Anthony Wootton on how he accidently gave 9ers “Big Play” Dre Greenlaw a pep talk ahead of Sunday's game and why Travis Kelce's opposite number is better than him, no not Taylor Swift but 49ers tight end George KittlePhoto: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after rushing for a 2-yard touchdown during the NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Lions 34-31. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

The Super Bowl is in Las Vegas. The greatest show on turf, but everyone is talking about the story off the field - Taylor Swift's romance with Kansas Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has dominated the headlines.Even the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell was asked about a conspiracy theory that the NFL has scripted the romance between Taylor and Travis.Sportshour's Caroline Barker explores the phenomenon, excitement and conspiracies with CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones and USA Today's Victoria Hernandez.Image: Taylor Swift reacts during the first half of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)

Betty Brussel from Canada has broken the 100-104-year-old age class world record in the 400m freestyle, knocking nearly four minutes off the previous standard, and then repeated her record-breaking performances in 50m backstroke and the 50m breaststroke that same day. Caroline Barker speaks to the 99-year-old swimmer who is proving age is no barrier to sporting success.We hear from the charity called Tackle, who are using football to raise sexual health and HIV awareness in Africa.With six months to go until the start of the Paris Olympics, three-time world break dancing champion Menno Van Gorp will be chatting about his preparations as the sport makes its debut at the Games. Bryan's Gunn is not a messiah, but is he a very naughty boy? We speak to the man behind the social media sensation, who regularly makes fun of footballers and their poor choice of vocabulary.(Photo: Betty Brussel with her medals. Credit: Hannah Walsh)

Former Premier League footballer George Elokobi is the first Cameroonian to manager an English football club. On Saturday 27th January, he will take charge as Maidstone United face second tier Ipswich Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup. George chats about his managerial ambitions as well as tough upbringing in Cameroon. On Sunday 28th January, it will be International Lego Day. It was on that day, that Danish carpenter Godtfred Kirk Christiansen submitted his patent for the original brick. Former Premier League footballer Darren Ambrose began his hobby when his parents in law bought him the toy as a present. It's since developed into a passion and even a social media channel. Plus, we'll hear from the Mother and Son coaching duo Anne and Tom Davies, who will be leading Team UK's Flag Football Team at the NFL Pro Bowl Games.

Please note: This programme contains discussions about mental health. 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. www.befrienders.orgThe co-founder of campaigning charity Black Trail Runners, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys tells us how the group was founded as a safe space for people of colour to enjoy the outdoors. Pace-Humphreys recalls the racism she has encountered in running, which included being left for dead in the French Alps. She also explains how getting into running helped her cope with severe postpartum depression.Canadian Paralympic shot put champion, Greg Stewart, says his decision to come out of retirement is about more than trying to win a second gold medal in Paris. Stewart tells us he learned a lot about his identity after quitting the sport in 2022.And – Jack Smith discusses overcoming cancer twice, impending fatherhood and how a rugby accident as a teenager left him paralysed. The Great Britain wheelchair rugby player was part of the squad that made history by winning their first ever Paralympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games.Image: Sabrina Pace-Humphreys running on a trail run with a mountain valley in the background. (Photo by James Appleton)

Indian tennis great Leander Paes joins us to reflect on his glittering career ahead of his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Paes tells us he gave up on his dreams of making it as a footballer with FC Barcelona, when a coach told him he would need to relinquish his Indian passport in favour of a European one, in order to progress in the sport. He also reflects on his early struggles in tennis and how he met Muhammad Ali at the 1996 Olympics after he won a bronze medal at the Games.Zion Clark is an MMA fighter, wrestler and Olympic hopeful. The American was also born with a rare condition called Caudal Regression Syndrome, which left him without legs and after being given up for adoption, he spent his childhood in the care system. He joins us along with his mentor Craig Levinson to discuss his remarkable story.And – former England netballer Sonia Mkoloma tells us how excited she is about being a referee on the television sports entertainment show Gladiators. It's been a hit everywhere from Australia to America and returns to screens in the UK having first had families crowding around their televisions every Saturday night in the 1990s.Photo: Leander Paes of India during his Gentlemen's Doubles first round match with Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic against Mariusz Fyrstenberg of Poland and Rajeev Ram of the United States on day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on June 26, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Erin Holcomb from the Portland Rescue Mission tells Caroline Barker how a pair of anonymously donated retro Nike Air Jordan 3s led to a $50,000 windfall for the charity.The gold and red sneakers were one of only five pairs made for film director Spike Lee, who wore a pair when collecting his Oscar for the movie BlacKkKlansman. The shoes sold at auction for more than double the original estimate of around $20,000.Preet Chandi joins us from the South Pole after she became the world's fastest woman to complete a solo unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole. The British Army officer tells us she passed the time by visualising her upcoming wedding and explains how you go to the toilet in freezing temperatures in the wilderness.And – we hear from the BBC's tennis correspondent Russell Fuller and Canadian professional tennis player Vasek Pospisil about how heavy tennis balls are contributing to player injury.Image: A photo of the gold Nike Air Jordan 3s which were donated to Portland Rescue Mission. (Photo by Aaron Ankrom - Portland Rescue Mission)

We look back on some of the most inspiring and moving stories we've brought you this past year.Hear baseball commentator Jerry Schemmel's story of survival, loss and heroism after he was on board a deadly plane crash. Plus, Carter Crosland the American football coach born without arms or legs.Image: Members of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

We hear from some of the athletes that have made 2023 such an exciting and successful year for women's sport. We'll hear from the stars of the football and netball world cups and with the Olympics on the horizon we hear from those women posed to make their mark in the next 12 months.Image: Karla Pretorius (Vice Captain) of South Africa and Phillipa Yarranton of Wales during the Netball World Cup 2023, Pool C match between South Africa and Wales at Cape Town International Convention Centre Court 1 on July 28, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023 via Getty Images)

Boston defender Sophie Jaques and the founder of Black Girl Hockey Club, Renee Hess, tell us how they fell in love with ice hockey and how they're working to make the sport more inclusive.Hess founded the organisation after discovering the sport as a fan but noticing there weren't many people who looked like her in the crowd. Jaques is now a board member of Black Girl Hockey Club and says she takes her position as a role model seriously. Jenni Forbes explains the Australian sport of Swish, which is also known as vision impaired table tennis. It is sometimes likened to a mixture of traditional table tennis and air hockey, and can be enjoyed by people with varying visual impairments.And, Women's World Snooker Tour player Varshaa Sanjeev Kumar tells us about her passion for film making. She discusses making a film inspired by the story of her mother and how she would like to get into working behind the camera on sports broadcasts. (Photo: Sophie Jaques of the Ohio State Buckeyes poses for a portrait after winning the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award during the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Ceremony at Amsoil Arena on March 18, 2023 in Duluth, Minnesota. Credit: Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Former Eagles player Connor Barwin discusses producing ‘A Philly Special Christmas Special' – the latest charity record released by players from the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and special guests. Barwin tells us the late Shane McGowan endorsed the Kelce brothers reworking of Fairytale of New York and that he'll do all he can to get Taylor Swift to feature on their next album.Dorna Longbut tells us about making a new career in Para Sport after her dreams of playing rugby league for Papa New Guinea were ended by a serious injury. At the time her mother was also being treated for cancer and following her death Longbut initially turned her back on playing sports.And – Finland's ambassador to the UK - Jukka Siukosaari - discusses the campaign to preserve a little-known venue for the 1948 London Olympics – the Finnish Sauna Baths.Photo: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to brother Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after their game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Credit: Getty Images)

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman discusses how he's raising awareness of homelessness through his annual Sleep Out in aid of Covenant House, an organisation that helps young homeless people. Cashman says the issue is getting worse and he chats about some of the charity's success stories.Lopez Sanusi tells us about his dreams of making it in the NFL and winning multiple Super Bowls after committing to Division 1 college Boise State just two years after taking up American Football. Sanusi was born in Ireland and grew up in Nigeria and the US. He says living in Nigeria turned his life around.Mark Waldon explains how a near-death experience with Covid-19 led to him becoming a champion arm wrestler. The 54-year-old grandfather talks us through his training regime and how he's left walking like a Tyrannosaurus Rex following competitions.Image: New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman preparing for the annual Sleep Out. (Photo by Aaron Almendral)

Erin Matson reflects on leading the North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey team to the NCAA national championship in her first year as head coach. The 23-year-old had previously won four titles as a player and tells us about their celebrations, being compared to Michael Jordan and proving the doubters wrong. Sierra Leonean sprinter Hafsatu Kamara discusses representation and being a role model. She was one of only four athletes to represent her country at the Tokyo Olympics and recalls a father in Sierra Leone reaching out to her at the Rio Olympics to tell her how much she had inspired his daughter. Alex Witty explains how experimenting at University led to him making training shoes from discarded Formula 1 tyres. The trainers he's created have soles made from combined race tyre rubber and recycled natural rubber.Image: Head Coach Erin Matson of the North Carolina Tar Heels is lifted up by her team after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats for the national title during the Division I Women's Field Hockey Championship held at Karen Shelton Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Sweden rugby union captain Amanda Swartz tells us about growing up as a competitive figure skater and why she decided to switch sports. The Leicester Tigers player is keen to change perceptions of female rugby players and combines playing for the club, with working in their ticket office.Will Greenwood and his wife Caro discuss the pain of losing a child and the work they do to support research into premature births. Their first child Freddie passed away after being born prematurely and Caro then experienced problems during her pregnancy with Archie. At the time, Will left England's squad at the World Cup in Australia to be at his wife's side before she told him to return to the group. He was then part of a World Cup winning team and their second child was born later.Grace Jale tells us about reconnecting with her Fijian roots. The Perth Glory forward made history at the Women's World Cup by becoming the first player of Fijian descent to be called up by New Zealand. She says it was a huge moment for her extended family and reveals why she was told she made the squad by e-mail.Photo: Amanda Swartz in action for Sweden (Credit: Amanda Swartz)

Taehoon “Andy” Ki, tells us how he fell in love with Scunthorpe United after discovering them when playing Fifa Online 3 and about his recent trip to watch the English non-league side play. Ki made the 14 hour journey to Glanford Park in October amidst fears it could be the club's final ever home game. He also discusses his extensive football shirt collection, reveals who his footballing hero is and tells us how he keeps up to date with the club from over five thousand miles away.Australia's Jessie Smith chats to us about the impact Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) has had on her life and the adjustments she has made to continue competing in dressage. CRPS is known as one of the most painful conditions in the world where a person experiences persistent severe and debilitating pain.And – Great Britain's Julia Davis tells us about competing in an ultra-marathon with a difference. She recently finished third in the 100 kilometre Kullamannen race in Sweden, which is named after a mythical immortal knight who takes the side of the weak towards their oppressors. Competitors in the race start behind a knight on horseback before “sprinting” to the finish.Image: Andy Ki in front of a Scunthorpe United Supporters Society flag ahead of Scunthorpe United's National League North game against Brackley Town. (Photo courtesy of Andy Ki)

Jamie MoCrazy tells us how she's rebuilt her life and become an advocate for survivors of brain injury after almost being killed in a skiing accident. MoCrazy was seriously injured when attempting a trick at freestyle skiing's World Tour Finals in Canada in 2015. She has since returned to the mountain to get married and is back skiing.Professional mixed martial artist and former footballer Aaron Aby discusses being an athlete with cystic fibrosis, exceeding medical expectations and overcoming stage 3 testicular cancer. Aby's parents were told he was unlikely to live beyond his teenage years but that didn't stop him becoming a promising footballer, who played in Wales youth teams with Aaron Ramsey, before switching to Mixed Martial Arts. Caroline Marks tells us how her family helped her reach the top of surfing, why she's inspired by Simone Biles and how she has unfinished business at the Paris Olympics. The American prodigy became a World Champion for the first time earlier this year.Image: Jamie MoCrazy back skiing on the slopes following her injury. (Photo courtesy of Jamie MoCrazy)

Chuck Goldstein tells us how a 5G connected football helmet is helping him communicate with his deaf quarterback in a way which was unthinkable before. Goldstein is head coach of a team of deaf and hard of hearing players at Gallaudet University and he believes the technology could reduce potential injuries and allow deaf players to potentially make a career in the sport.Ciara McCormack explains her plans to put players at the centre of everything she does following her takeover of Treaty United in Limerick. The former Republic of Ireland defender says the country saved her following the abuse she encountered in Canadian football.And Neil Jones tells us how winning the National Lottery set him on a path towards captaining England's pool team. One of the first things Jones bought with his winnings was a pool table.Image: Image: Gallaudet University quarterback Brandon Washington wears a special augmented reality visor, allowing to visualise football plays. (Credit: AT&T/Gallaudet University)

Tom Willis was born without arms and recently completed a 15-year journey to throw out a ceremonial pitch at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums across the USA. He discusses how he pitches a baseball, the inspiration for his Pitch for National Awareness tour and how changing perceptions of people with disabilities is important to him. Tom's philosophy is "I want people to focus on what I can do, rather than what I can't”.Andrew Edwards explains how falling in love with cricket as a child has helped him with his autism. Edwards tells us all his worries slip away when he's watching a test match, how loud music at T20 games affects him and how the very clear rules in cricket can make the sport appealing to people who are neurodiverse.And – Sydney Giants star Nicola Barr tells us how she got interested in environmentalism and her fears for the future of elite and grassroots sport. Barr recalls her friends shoe melting on the tarmac because of the high temperatures in Sydney.Image: Tom Willis continues first-pitch dream at Yankee Stadium prior to the Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees on September 19, 2023 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)