EPISODE · Jan 18, 2020 · 41 MIN
Clearing the Air
from Not by the Playbook · host BBC World Service
Australian Open Tennis organisers have been criticised all week for their decision to play the event’s qualifying tournament in conditions which several players have argued were hazardous to their health. Were the players in this week’s qualifiers treated the same as bigger name players in the main draw would have been if this all happened a week later? What happens if poor air quality does impact the opening week of the year’s first Grand Slam? Our Correspondent, Russell Fuller, brings us the latest on the air quality. We’ll also speak to sports journalist, Chris Mitchell, a familiar face and voice across the BBC and now on the ABC in Australia. While most of us were enjoying Christmas and New Year holidays, Chris spent the start of January protecting a farm belonging to his family. Watching the skies, worrying about the wind direction and doing all he could to protect his in-laws’ home and the neighbouring ones too. ‘And Cue!’Alexandra Palace in north London is famous for hosting major events – including this week’s Masters Snooker. But how many of those watching sport at the Palace know that it is also the birthplace of BBC Television? The venue’s Deputy Chief Executive, Emma Dagnes, has been giving Sportshour’s Jamie Broughton a history lesson.But what about the sharks?How often do you see a moment of sporting inspiration or excellence and think to yourself, 'I wonder if I could do that'? Well, Victoria Evans believes that 'Yes', you can. She's out to prove it by breaking the world record for rowing solo across the Atlantic. Just one problem though - Victoria had never rowed before taking this on. But that doesn't mean she's a stranger to extreme sporting challenges. Victoria has been speaking to Sportshour's Miriam Walker-Khan and Anita Jones.Snowboarding with no kneesWe meet a fifty-something who came late to the slopes but whose ideas are helping others enjoy what's become his passion, that's Para Snowboarding. Darren Swift ... also known as Swifty ... is a double above-the-knee amputee. The BBC's Jenny Jones, an Olympic snowboard medallist, hears how he's pioneered the technology which now allows lower-limb amputees like him to enjoy the sport. It involves a kitchen chopping board.
What this episode covers
Australian Open Tennis organisers have been criticised all week for their decision to play the event’s qualifying tournament in conditions which several players have argued were hazardous to their health. Were the players in this week’s qualifiers treated the same as bigger name players in the main draw would have been if this all happened a week later? What happens if poor air quality does impact the opening week of the year’s first Grand Slam? Our Correspondent, Russell Fuller, brings us the latest on the air quality. We’ll also speak to sports journalist, Chris Mitchell, a familiar face and voice across the BBC and now on the ABC in Australia. While most of us were enjoying Christmas and New Year holidays, Chris spent the start of January protecting a farm belonging to his family. Watching the skies, worrying about the wind direction and doing all he could to protect his in-laws’ home and the neighbouring ones too. ‘And Cue!’Alexandra Palace in north London is famous for hosting major events – including this week’s Masters Snooker. But how many of those watching sport at the Palace know that it is also the birthplace of BBC Television? The venue’s Deputy Chief Executive, Emma Dagnes, has been giving Sportshour’s Jamie Broughton a history lesson.But what about the sharks?How often do you see a moment of sporting inspiration or excellence and think to yourself, 'I wonder if I could do that'? Well, Victoria Evans believes that 'Yes', you can. She's out to prove it by breaking the world record for rowing solo across the Atlantic. Just one problem though - Victoria had never rowed before taking this on. But that doesn't mean she's a stranger to extreme sporting challenges. Victoria has been speaking to Sportshour's Miriam Walker-Khan and Anita Jones.Snowboarding with no kneesWe meet a fifty-something who came late to the slopes but whose ideas are helping others enjoy what's become his passion, that's Para Snowboarding. Darren Swift ... also known as Swifty ... is a double above-the-knee amputee. The BBC's Jenny Jones, an Olympic snowboard medallist, hears how he's pioneered the technology which now allows lower-limb amputees like him to enjoy the sport. It involves a kitchen chopping board.
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Clearing the Air
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