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PODCAST · sports

The Olympics

by BBC Radio 5 Live

Will Perry, Eleanor Oldroyd and the BBC Radio 5 live team bring you the stories from London 2012 and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 8, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Victoria Pendleton, David Weir and the original Blade Runner - Marlon Shirley

    A glorious summer of sport has finally drawn to a close, leaving much of the country feeling inspired. BBC 5 Live caught up with David Weir at the Athletes' Parade to speak about his extraordinary quadruple gold medal haul. Mo Farah and his former P.E. teacher speak about his initial steps into...

  2. David Smith, the Athletes’ Parade and Paralympic jokes

    As the London 2012 Games drew to a close, thousands lined the streets of London to cheer on the Athletes' Parade, including a very excited BBC reporter - Stephen Chittenden. Also present were triathlon superstars, the Brownlee Brothers, who told 5 Live about the impact of public support. David...

  3. Oscar Pistorius’ outburst, Aled Davies and Philip Craven

    Ellie Simmonds stormed to victory after winning two titles and setting two world records. Among her supporters was Steve Simmons, her father who told BBC WM that her victories were not guaranteed. A delighted Aled Davies speaks to Chris Evans the morning after taking gold in the discus. Oscar...

  4. John Harris, Stefanie Reid and “boosting” at the Paralympics

    The London Paralympic Games are looking set to be the greatest in the history of the movement but it was a very different story at the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, as Britain's first-ever gold medal winner Margaret Maughan told Peter White in "No Triumph, No Tragedy". In the pursuit of...

  5. The Paralympians touch down...and the secrets of the running blades.

    Over 2,000 athletes landed in the UK this week for the Paralympic Games including the Canadian wheelchair rugby player David Willsie and New Zealand sailor Jan Apel. In BBC Radio 1's "Against All Odds", Vernon Kay charts the journeys of soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq who are now going…

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  6. The Father of the Paralympics, Greg Rutherford and Usain Bolt jealousy.

    A week before the biggest Paralympic Games ever, Eva Loeffler speaks to Radio 4 about her father Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a German Jewish refugee who started the Paralympic movement. Sprinter Libby Clegg on performing in front of a home crowd and running with a guide during the Games. Are the complex...

  7. Olympic Homecomings, Gemma Gibbons, and David Roberts

    Judo Olympians, silver medallist Gemma Gibbons and her partner Euan Burton, tell Victoria Derbyshire about the public reaction to their victory and losses at the Games. As part of the BBC Scotland series “The Paralympians”, judoka Samuel Ingram speaks about taking bronze in Beijing and competing...

  8. The Olympic Aftermath : Katherine Grainger, Oscar Pistorius and Lee Pearson

    As London 2012 draws to a close, has the Olympic experience changed the United Kingdom? Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson tells Richard Bacon about the last minute preparations for the Closing Ceremony. Olympians Katherine Grainger, Kat Copeland and Kate Walsh relive their first 24 hours after the…

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  9. Nicola Adams, the Brownlee brothers and making sense of the medal table.

    Nicola Adams describes the sacrifices she made to make history and win the first Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing. Alistair and Jonny Brownlee talk about their gruelling training schedule and the trials of living together. Colin Paterson from Radio 5 Live visits the Bingley Harriers triathlon...

  10. Mo Farah, Andy Murray and Jessica Ennis

    Team GB’s Mo Farah, gold medallist in the 10,000m, receives a surprise phone call from his school PE teacher on Victoria Derbyshire’s 5 Live show and we hear from Andy Murray prior to the Olympics, who told a live audience how he was hoping to put his poor performance in Beijing behind him. Steve...

  11. Sir Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and Topping the Medal Table

    Rowing pair Heather Stanning and Helen Glover end Great Britain’s five-day wait for Olympic gold while BBC Radio 2’s Simon Mayo gets carried away cheering on Team GB’s cycling sprint team. Sir Chris Hoy speaks about the unique design of the London Velodrome where he achieved his fifth Olympic…

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  12. Opening Ceremony, Rebecca Adlington and Olympic sex tests.

    Comedians Rhod Gilbert and Lloyd Langford reflect on the Opening Ceremony of the London Games while singer Alex Trimble speaks about performing during the lighting of the cauldron. Ahead of Rebecca Adlington’s attempt to defend her Olympic 800m freestyle title, she reveals her thoughts on…

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  13. Michael Johnson, Shanaze Reade and David Quantick and...the Games begin!

    Can David Rudisha dominate the 800 metres and finally achieve Olympic gold after missing out on Beijing through injury. Richard Bacon is joined by Olympian Michael Johnson and guests to discuss what may become the most competitive Olympic 100 meters race ever if Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Tyson...

  14. Emma Pooley, Jeremy Hunt and fasting during the Olympics.

    After Bradley Wiggins’ historic win of the Tour de France, Team GB cyclist Emma Pooley speaks about going for gold. BBC World Service investigates how top Muslim athletes are coping with the rigours of training and fasting as Ramadan falls over the Olympic fortnight. Tickets for wheelchair rugby…

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  15. USA Dream Team, Steve Backley and Olympic Village life

    The Olympic Village will be home to 16,000 athletes and officials during the course of the Games but is it all work and no play? Eleanor Oldroyd finds out about the more steamy side of life in the Village. Judo star Ashley McKenzie reveals how his bad behavior nearly saw him miss the Olympics....

  16. Olympic security, Zara Phillips and 95 medals for Team GB?

    Lord Seb Coe, London 2012 chairman tells BBC 5 Live that Olympic security will not be compromised despite the contractor G4S’s failure to provide sufficient staff. As Britain’s Team Sky lead at the Tour de France, will they be able to recover in just five days to compete at the Olympics? Can Zara...

  17. Olympic superstars are in town : Michael Johnson, Sally Pearson & Liu Xiang

    Among the host of international athletes making their final preparations at the Aviva London Grand Prix is one of the hottest favourites for Olympic gold - Australian 100m hurdler Sally Pearson. How will the international superstars cope with ‘traditional’ British summer weather? Team USA…

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  18. Jonty Clarke, Jordanne Whiley and missiles in the East End.

    Andy Murray and Jonathan Marray weren’t the only British finalists at Wimbledon, Jordanne Whiley also made history as part of the first all-British wheelchair tennis pair to make the final. Team GB hockey star Jonty Clarke explains why he values the public pressure and expectation attached to a...

  19. Olympic heroes : Radmilovic, Bannister and Bolt

    After the announcement of the Team GB Athletics squad, 18-year old sprinter Adam Gemili spoke his joy and surprise at his inclusion; 800m runner Lynsey Sharp on her controversial selection despite recording only a B qualifying time this season, and hurdler Andy Turner expresses relief after being...

  20. Stuart Pearce on the England football squad, Christian Malcolm and the Olympic gardens

    Spain maybe European Champions but Britain is looking forward to securing an Olympic gold in the football at the London Games. Team GB manager Stuart Pearce justifies his decision not to pick David Beckham for the squad but not everyone agrees, as former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson tells…

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  21. Michael Phelps, Rachel Brown and the Cultural Olympiad

    As the US Olympic swimming trials get underway, the legendary Michael Phelps speaks about his comeback and rivalry with fellow American Ryan Lochte. Eleanor Oldroyd, former tennis player Mark Woodford and hurdler Jack Green discuss if athletes should take part in Olympic opening ceremony. Everton...

  22. Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis & Martine Wright

    After years of training, last weekend the UK Olympic trials for track and field took place in Birmingham. BBC 5 Live's Sonja McLaughlan was trackside to speak to a delighted Shara Proctor about her new British record, a disappointed Jessica Ennis who had five no-jumps out of six attempts at the...

  23. Sir Chris Hoy, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Miles Jupp

    After four years of intensive training, this weekend’s Aviva 2012 athletic trials will decide which track and field athletes will make Team GB. The competition is expected to be fierce as Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener told BBC London. European Champion hurdler Andy Turner and British long...

  24. Greg Searle, David Florence and Olympic motivation

    Great Britain's rowers enjoyed mixed fortunes in the last competition before the Olympics, winning three golds but seeing two leading hopes beaten. Jonathan Legard speaks to a disappointed Greg Searle after the men’s eight only managed to secure a bronze medal. After the Canoe Slalom World Cup,...

  25. Dai Greene, Aaron Cook and the torch in Scotland

    As the Olympic torch tours the beautiful cities, highlands and islands of Scotland, Bryan Burnett marvels at the joyous atmosphere surrounding the torch relay while Fred MacAuley speaks to some of the Scottish torch bearers. World Taekwando number one Aaron Cook reveals how he feels “cheated and...

  26. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Daley Thompson and Tom Daley

    Team GB diver and European Champion Tom Daley speaks to Radio 2’s Steve Wright about his physical and mental preparation going into the London Games. Young British rower Moe Sbihi discusses joining the highly competitive men’s eight boat, and balancing his faith with Olympic training. BBC Radio...

  27. Sir Steve Redgrave, Venus Williams and Olympic Flame in Northern Ireland

    This week, additional tickets to London 2012 went on sale amidst slow ticket sales, Paul Deighton Chief Executive of LOCOG spoke to 5 Live Breakfast to defend the ticketing process. Sir Steve Redgrave on Team GB's rowing hopes as the final squad is announced and tennis star Venus Williams speaks...

  28. Christine Ohuruogu, Jessica Ennis and Olympic Flame in Wales

    This week, showjumper Tim Stockdale speaks about his amazing recovery just seven months after he broke his neck in a riding accident. Team GB Taekwondo Performance Director Gary Hall defends the decision to omit European Champion Aaron Cook from the Team GB squad in favour of Lutalo Muhammad....

  29. The Olympic cauldron is lit, Liam Phillips, Oscar Pistorius, Hollie Avil and Tom Daley

    In a week where Olympic excitement finally arrived in Great Britain, we hear from a gripped BBC Devon as the Olympic cauldron is lit for the first time in Plymouth. BMX champion Liam Phillips speaks about his return to the sport on the eve of the World BMX Championships in Birmingham. South…

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  30. Princess Anne, Jessica Ennis and Anish Kapoor

    This week, the Olympic flame began its 70-day relay around the UK. BBC Sports Editor David Bond discussed the build-up to the Games with former Olympian Princess Anne at the official ceremony in Athens. Team GB heptathlete Jessica Ennis speaks about balancing her preparations for the Olympics…

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  31. Olympians on the new Olympic venues, Alex Partridge, Mhairi Spence and Jonny Brownlee

    This week, the Triathlon World Series gets underway in San Diego, 5 Live’s Alistair Bruce-Ball spoke to Jonny Brownlee about his preparations and competing against his brother Alistair for Olympic glory. Pentathletes Mhairi Spence and Freyja Prentice speak about the battle for a Team GB place on...

  32. Nathan Robertson, Amanda McGrory and Liam Tancock

    This week, the final round of test events have been taking place at the Olympic Park in Stratford. At the Riverside Arena, the Great Britain men and women’s hockey teams have been in action, in a tournament which will determine the final Team GB squads. 5 Live’s Richard Bacon spoke to Olympic...

  33. Victor Conte, Natalie Perdue and Gary Lineker

    Next week, the British Olympic Association finds out if the World Anti-Doping Agency has succeeded in lifting the lifetime Olympic ban for British drug cheats. Victor Conte, the controversial sports nutritionist behind the Balco doping scandal, tells 5 Live why he thinks athletes such as Dwain...

  34. Sir Chris Hoy, Andy Hunt and Charles van Commenee

    A look ahead to London 2012 with a selection of Olympic stories from across BBC local, national and World Service Radio. With the London Olympics less than 100 days away, BBC Sports Editor David Bond travels to hosts of the 1992 Olympic Games Barcelona, to explore their Olympic legacy. BBC World...

  35. Darren Campbell, James Cracknell, Laura Trott and Richard Kruse

    In this edition, Olympic gold medallists Darren Campbell and James Cracknell discuss the role of food supplements in athlete's training regimes and the benefits and the risks they offer. Teenage cycling sensation Laura Trott reflects on the two gold medals she brought back from the recent World...

  36. Peter Keen, David Millar and Danny Baker

    In this edition, Director of Performance at UK Sport Peter Keen discusses Mission 2012, the traffic light system by which all Olympic sports are judged on their progress. 5 Live’s Jonathan Ledgard gives an update on the British Mens and Women’s Rowing squads for the World Cup which were announced...

  37. Luol Deng, Shanaze Reade and Andrew Willis

    A look ahead to London 2012 with a selection of Olympic stories from across BBC local, national and World Service Radio. In this edition, British professional basketball player Luol Deng gives his thoughts on taking part in London 2012 and the British team’s prospects of getting on to the podium...

  38. Stella McCartney, Kriss Akabusi & Colin Jackson, Aimee Willmott

    A look ahead to London 2012 with a selection of Olympic stories from across BBC local, national and World Service Radio. In this edition, former track stars Kriss Akabusi & Colin Jackson explain why it’s so important that the British public get behind the London Olympics, and in particular the...

  39. Matthew Pinsent, Danny Crates and Nicola Adams

    A look ahead to London 2012 with a selection of Olympic stories from across BBC local, national and World Service Radio. In this edition, we hear from teenage boxer Sadaf Rahimi whose dream is to represent Afghanistan at the London Olympics and Britain's most decorated female boxer and current...

  40. Steve Cram, Judo star Kate Walker and Phillips Idowu

    A look ahead to London 2012 with a selection of Olympic stories from across BBC local, national and World Service Radio. In this edition, we hear from Judo star Kate Walker and her German coach Juergen Klinger as they train at the GB judo training camp at the University of Bath and Steve Cram…

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  41. Jessica Ennis, Tim Stockdale and Tom Daley

    Eleanor Oldroyd counts down to London 2012 with a selection of Olympic stories from across BBC local, national and World Service Radio. In this edition, we follow Show Jumper Tim Stockdale as he attempts to recover from a broken neck in time to compete at the Games, Heptathlete Jessica Ennis…

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  42. Mo Farah, Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gebrselassie

    Uncovering the secrets of Kenya's long-distance running success - Mike Costello reports from the High Altitude Training Centre in Iten, Kenya, and speaks to Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe; Marathon champion, Haile Gebrselassie, on concerns for Ethiopia's future in long-distance running; English...

  43. Boxer Mary Kom, Diving Champ Peter Waterfield & F1 Driver Alex Zanardi

    Female boxer Mary Kom is joined by reporter, Emma Jane Kirby, at a training session in her village in north-east India; 1500m runner Hanner English with her local hero, Roger Bannister; diving champion, and family man, Peter Waterfield at the Aquatic Centre; paralympian and former Formula 1…

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  44. Muhammad Ali at 70, Dai Greene meets Ed Moses and gymnast Beth Tweddle

    John Carlos speaks to Eleanor Oldroyd about Muhammad Ali’s achievements both in and out of the ring, hurdling star, Ed Moses, joins GB champ Dai Greene to offer him the benefit of his experience and BBC London’s Emma Jones speaks to two of Great Britain’s most promising swimmers, Jenna Randall…

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  45. Moscow Memories, Jessica Ennis and Tatiana Chernova

    Rivals special with Sebastian Coe revisiting the Moscow Olympics stadium and memories of the 1980 big contest by Steve Ovett's close friend and training partner, Matt Paterson, plus heptathlete rivals, Jessica Ennis and Tatiana Chernova; equestrian audio diaries from Ruth Edge in Cumbria and…

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  46. Matthew Pinsent, James Degale and Sarah Stevenson

    World Olympic dreams with Matthew Pinsent and tales from Kenya; heart-wrenching story of triumph and tragedy from Sarah Stevenson, Great British taekwondo world champion; report on court from the GB handball team created from scratch for the Olympics; news from paralympians, sitting volley ball...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Will Perry, Eleanor Oldroyd and the BBC Radio 5 live team bring you the stories from London 2012 and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

HOSTED BY

BBC Radio 5 Live

Produced by BBC

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Olympics have?

The Olympics currently has 46 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Olympics about?

Will Perry, Eleanor Oldroyd and the BBC Radio 5 live team bring you the stories from London 2012 and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

How often does The Olympics release new episodes?

The Olympics has 46 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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Who hosts The Olympics?

The Olympics is created and hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live.
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