Keep the Flame Alive
Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You’ve found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz, for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes, coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don’t find anywhere else. Tune in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We’re your cure for your Olympics Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT.
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Keep the Flame Alive Celebrates the Big 400!
07/17/2025
Keep the Flame Alive Celebrates the Big 400!
This week, Keep the Flame Alive is celebrating a big milestone: Our 400th regular episode! This episode is an online party with many citizens of (Team Keep the Flame Alive, which are our guests and listeners of the show), and we're thrilled to be joined by: Past guests Sean Colahan, Harry Blutstein, Rich Perelman, Roy Tomizawa and Listeners Ean, David, Mark, Patrick from Chicagoland, Meredith, Sarah and Tommy Producer Ben and Book Club Claire Like all great party conversation, it runs the gamut and includes Milan-Cortina's ever-expanding budget, potential politics at LA 2028, the IOC reexamining the host city bidding process, and some great ideas for where the Winter and Summer Olympics should be. Grab a snack, a fun drink, and your best party hat and join in the fun! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: The Cover-Up and the Comebacks
07/10/2025
Sydney 2000: The Cover-Up and the Comebacks
We travel back to 2000 for another look back at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. This month Alison explores what's considered to be the biggest Paralympic scandal of all time, Spain's cheating in the Basketball ID tournament. Then Jill looks at the Olympic Road Cycling events, which feature inspirational legends, amazing comebacks, and Lance Armstrong. If you want a thoroughly depressing look at doping in cycling during this era, here's a handy infographic: For a complete list of sources used in this episode, visit For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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The Surprising Early Legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
07/03/2025
The Surprising Early Legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
It's been nearly a year since we said, "Bonjour!" to the , so what's been happening in Paris since the cauldron went out? Let's take a look at the initial legacy of these Games! We look at the money, initial economic impact, audience figures, building legacies, and elements of the Games that are still impacting Paris. If you're interested in training in the sport climbing warm-up gym, check out .. If you want to swim like an Olympian, the newly-built (and very gorgeous) is now open for swimming and so much more. has opened in Bobigny to provide another workout facility that includes accessible training--and para sport research. Paris also leveraged the Games to rejuvenate some areas of the city. If you're in Paris on July 20 and want to see how that process is coming along, check out the Olympic Heritage Grand Walk, which goes from Parc de la Villette to the Bassin de la Maltournee in Saint-Denis. It's a free day-long adventure with plenty of surprises planned. Register . Cleaning up the Seine was another major project, and on July 26, the first anniversary of the Olympics, the city will host a big , including a free open-air karaoke session on the Place du Chatelet. Plus, we revisit moments that really stick out to us as the legacy of Paris 2024 starts to take shape in our memories. What moments from Paris 2024 stick out in your heads a year later? How do you think the legacy of these Games is shaping up? Will they be among the greatest Games of all time? Will they be an economic boon to the city and country? Let us ! Don't forget! Our 400th episode party is coming up on Monday, July 14 from 8 to 10pm Eastern. Hope to see you ! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Wheelchair Tennis with Charlie Cooper
06/26/2025
Wheelchair Tennis with Charlie Cooper
We're delving into the sport of wheelchair tennis with American Charlie Cooper, who's currently ranked #2 in the world for junior wheelchair singles. He talks with Alison about the sport and his plans to qualify for LA 2028. Plus, we also talk with Dr. Thomas Rietveld, a researcher at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University in the UK. Dr. Rietveld's PhD thesis examined wheelchair tennis chairs, so he answers our burning questions about tennis chairs that we had after Paris 2024. Follow Charlie on Insta: Learn more about the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport here: Milan-Cortina 2026 has unveiled its art posters. This is a set of 10 works (five Olympic, five Paralympic) created by emerging Italian artists. Check them out here: Also, if you're interested in volunteering for the Olympics Closing Ceremony or Paralympics Opening Ceremony, find the application here: This past week was Olympic Day, and the International Olympic Committee celebrated by officially instating Kirsty Coventry as the new president of the organization. Plus, we have updates from Team Keep the Flame Alive - TKFLASTAN has been busy! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympic Technology with Pascal Wattiaux
06/19/2025
Olympic Technology with Pascal Wattiaux
We're talking technology at the Olympics with Pascal Wattiaux, IT Consultant and former Director of Technology at the International Olympic Committee. He got his start with Olympics technology at Albertville 1992, and most recently he consulted with Paris 2024. He's seen massive amounts of change in technology used at the Olympics--and what it takes to deliver it. He tells all about the tech challenges of an Olympics–and there’s so much that you may have not realized. Follow Pascal on ! The big news from is that the ice hockey groups and schedules are out. Who from the NHL has already been named to the men's teams? How tough is the women's Group A? If you want to see the US and Canadian women battle it out ahead of the Games, this fall. In World Games news, the have been released, and we've never seen anything like it! We also have a ton of news from Team Keep the Flame Alive -- TKFLASTAN has been busy, including ? For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Thorpedo and the Experiment: Para Swimming, Swimming and Wrestling at Sydney 2000
06/12/2025
Thorpedo and the Experiment: Para Swimming, Swimming and Wrestling at Sydney 2000
It's our monthly look back at history--all year long we're looking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. This month Alison tackles the massive Para Swimming competition, which includes the Paralympics' all-time medal winner Trischa Zorn. Then we stay in the pool for the Olympic swimming competition, which is just epic, given Australians' love of swimming and their enthusiasm in the stands at Sydney 2000. There are so many stories that it was difficult to choose just one, but Alison looks at the Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe (aka Thorpedo) and the amazing performance of the Australian men's 4x100m freestyle relay. Get your air guitars ready! Then we switch over to the wrestling area, where Jill has the story of Canadian freestyle wrestler Daniel Igali's Olympic moment. And it wouldn't be a look back at Sydney 2000 without the biggest upset of them all: Rulon Gardner vs. Aleksandr Karelin in Greco-Roman Wrestling. Our 400th show is coming up! Join us on Monday, July 14, from 8-10PM ET to celebrate: Watch the men's 4x100m freestyle relay: Watch Daniel Igali's gold medal match: Part 1: Part 2: Watch Rulon Gardner v Aleksandr Karelin: For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Find a list of sources used in this episode . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Dr. Michele K. Donnelly on Gender Equity at the LA28 Olympics
06/05/2025
Dr. Michele K. Donnelly on Gender Equity at the LA28 Olympics
In April, LA 2028 announced that it would be the first Olympics to have more quota spots for women than men. That’s a win for women’s sports, right? Not so fast. Our gender in sports expert Dr. Michele K. Donnelly returns to peel back the layers of LA 28’s press release and tell us how fair these gender numbers really are. Dr. Donnelly is an associate professor in Sport Management at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about her work . In Milano-Cortina 2026 news, the Armani-designed Italian kit has been unveiled. We have some milky white thoughts about it. In LA 2028 news, Honda has signed a big sponsorship deal, the Paralympic venue plan and sport program have been announced, and we have a new event in para athletics! Also, USA Track & Field has announced the qualifying times for the 2028 US Olympic Marathon Trials. Can you make the field? The fine print is here: Speaking of Paralympics, we have a doping announcement that reconfigures a Paris 2024 podium. Also, we check in with Team Keep the Flame Alive for the latest in their lives. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympians' Mental Health Update with Dr. Kristin Keim
05/29/2025
Olympians' Mental Health Update with Dr. Kristin Keim
We welcome back sports psychologist Dr. Kristin Keim to talk about the kinds of mental health issues Olympians, Paralympians and other elite athletes are facing in 2025. This includes finding your voice, what it's like to be an American athlete today, social media, cyberbullying, disordered eating, and more. As always, Kristin is frank about the pressures athletes face today and about the advice she gives her clients. It's definitely therapeutic to listen to her! Learn more about Kristin at her , and follow her on . We also have a ton of news from the Olympic world, including updates from: Paris 2024 - A cyberbullying sentence, swimming in the Seine, venue legacy news. Milano-Cortina 2026 - Plan B scrapped, and an upate about Russian and Belorussian athlete participation. LA 2028 - Opening and Closing Ceremonies venues - the possibility of air taxis - public transport news - a farewell to cardboard beds? Plus, tons of members of Team Keep the Flame Alive are doing things to make TKFLASTAN proud! Also check out ( to see how he did in projecting the medals at Paris 2024. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Rep TKFLASTAN with merch: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Rekindled: Samantha Schultz on Mental Health after the Olympics
05/22/2025
Rekindled: Samantha Schultz on Mental Health after the Olympics
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month, we're rekindling our interview with Olympian Samantha Schultz, former modern pentathlete and member of the US Army World Class Athlete Program. Samantha realized her goal of becoming an Olympian--but then after Tokyo 2020, she discovered underlying mental health issues, including an eating disorder, that turned her life upside down. In early 2024, Samantha shared her journey with us and how she's working toward better mental health. Follow Samantha on and ! If you're struggling with mental health, finding the right support can help you get on a better path. In the US, anyone can call or text 988, the . Resources for eating disorders include: National Eating Disorder Association: National Alliance for Eating Disorders: The Bulimia Project National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders: and helpline: 1-888-375-7767 For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Olympic Football and Women's Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting
05/15/2025
Sydney 2000: Olympic Football and Women's Weightlifting, Para Powerlifting
We're headed back to Sydney 2000 for another episode in our history series on these Games. It was the first time women were allowed to compete in Olympic weightlifting, and not surprisingly, there was controversy. It was also the first time for women's Paralympic powerlifting, which spawned some legends in Paralympic history. Jill's got the scoop on these events. Then Alison explores the Olympic football competitions, where underdogs prevailed on both the women's and the men's side. Which Davids took down which Goliaths? Listen on to find out! For a transcript of this episode and our list of sources, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly on the second week of the month. In 2025, these episodes explore what's widely considered to be one of the greatest Summer Olympics in history. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Merch: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: X: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Dr. Yoav Dubinsky on University of Oregon's Olympic Studies Hub
05/08/2025
Dr. Yoav Dubinsky on University of Oregon's Olympic Studies Hub
If you've ever been interested in studying the Olympics and the Olympic Movement, this is the episode for you! We're talking with Dr. Yoav Dubinsky, professor of sports business at the University of Oregon. Dr. Dubinsky is also the operational director of the university's new We talk with Yoav about the Olympic Studies Hub, why it's important to study the Olympics, and--because Yoav is from Israel--the Israeli perspective on the Games. The University of Oregon Olympic Studies Hub is having an Olympic Studies Week on May 12-18, 2025. It includes events for students, faculty and the general public. Find out more information at the Follow Dr. Dubinsky on ! We also have news from Milano-Cortina 2026, including more curling quotas, hospitality house news, and ticket purchasing woes. Plus, one country is already squaring away their hospitality house plans for LA 2028. We also have lots of news from Team Keep the Flame Alive--find out who's competing, who's , and who's having babies! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold on Mental Health
05/01/2025
Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold on Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this month, we’re exploring aspects of mental health as it pertains to sports. We’re kicking it off with our interview with Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold. Gracie won a bronze medal in the team event at the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Gracie is an advocate for good mental health, having spent time in a treatment facility to help her cope with an eating disorder and depression. In 2024 she released a very candid memoir titled (affiliate link) that delves into Gracie's highs and lows as an elite figure skater. Trigger warning: We talk with Gracie about eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and suicidal ideation in this interview. Learn more about Gracie at her and follow her on and . Also on this episode: It's a quiet news week in the Olympic and Paralympic world, but we have news from Milan-Cortina 2026 and LA 2028, plus updates from Team Keep the Flame Alive members Olivia Chambers, Elizabeth Marks, Daniel Romanchuk, Jimmer Fredette, and Kenny Bednarek. If you heard what's going on with our TeePublic store and want to get a Keep the Flame Alive shirt or sticker while the store is still available, go . For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Buy merch here: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Ryan Cooper on USA Cycling's Project 4:05
04/24/2025
Ryan Cooper on USA Cycling's Project 4:05
USA Cycling's Senior Data Analyst Ryan Cooper joins us to talk about Project 4:05, the quest to win the women's track cycling team pursuit gold medal at Paris 2024. The US wasn't considered much of a contender for the podium--defending gold medalists Germany and reigning world champions Great Britain were considered to be the main teams vying for the top prize. However, Ryan developed a process to uncover more with data analytics using machine learning and real-time analytics to optimize rider selection, race strategy and aerodynamic efficiency. If all went according to plan, Team USA's riders Jennifer Valente, Lily Williams, Chloe Dygert and Kristen Faulkner could top the podium with a time of 4:05. Hear Ryan's process, the race results and the subsquent major award beyond the gold medal that USA Cycling received for this endeavor. Follow on , , , and ! In news, we have updates on ticket sales, volunteers, sneakers and the construction of Arena Santa Giulia, the new ice hockey stadium. International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons also has high hopes for improved accessibility. In news from , we hear from , and For more information and a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Paralympic Gold Medalist Elizabeth Marks
04/17/2025
Paralympic Gold Medalist Elizabeth Marks
3x Paralympian and member SFC Elizabeth Marks joins us to tell us about her experience in the pool at Paris 2024. Ellie competed in seven events, winning five silver medals. Ellie tells us what she thought about her third Games, including her thoughts on the infamous Paris 2024 chocolate muffins. We also discuss how swimming is an intellectual sport, how she's adapted to the sport throughout her career, and how she mentors other athletes. Learn more about the U.S. Army's WCAP and follow Ellie on ! Special thanks to the U.S. Army for making this interview possible. We also have a lot of news from upcoming Games! Milan-Cortina 2026 has unveiled its . LA 2028 a new Olympic venue plan, new events, and an athlete quota that will see more women than men at these Olympics. In news from TKFLASTAN, we hear from: Sprinter Former fencer Fencer For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. If you appreciate the work that goes into this show and want to give back, learn how to do so . All patrons (including free levels) will soon be able to access a special episode, so ! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Set Sail with the Mascots
04/10/2025
Sydney 2000: Set Sail with the Mascots
We sail back in time to Sydney 2000! Alison explores the origins of the official Olympic mascots, , and the Paralympic mascot . But Sydney doesn't stop with the mascot fun--the hosts of the Sydney 2000 recap show The Dream brought us Fatso, who stole the athletes' and fans' hearts....and caused some controversy along the way. See one of Fatso's best moments here: Then Jill heads across Sydney Harbor to the sailing competition to revisit the men's sailing competition, specifically the Two Person Keelboat (Star) and One Person Dinghy (Laser). Death looms in the background of both of these competitions, the fat lady eventually sings, and karma says g'day. See some of the wild action between Ben Ainslie and Robert Scheidt here: For a transcript of this episode and a full sourcelist, please visit . Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2025, these episodes explore the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: X: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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New IOC President Kirsty Coventry
04/03/2025
New IOC President Kirsty Coventry
Five-time Olympian Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee. She's the first woman and the first African to lead the organization. What's her story, and how will she shape the Olympics for years to come? We take a deep dive to find out. Plus, another chapter in the Milan-Cortina 2026 slidingnovela, updates (and concerns) for LA 2028, and Brisbane 2032 missed the Agenda 2020+5 memo. Looking for tickets to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics? Another happens on April 8, 2025. Paralympic tickets? Always on sale. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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2025 World Figure Skating Championships Recap
04/02/2025
2025 World Figure Skating Championships Recap
Alison went to the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston and has all of the behind-the-scenes details! Find out what you can't see on TV and how different the skater's performances were in person! Also check out our figure skating-themed this month! And get more scoop from Figure Skating Champs in our free . For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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No Show This Week!
03/26/2025
No Show This Week!
Hello TKFLASTAN! Just a note that we won't be able to produce a show this week. Jill's been doing a lot of caregiving for her mother, which has taken a considerable amount of time and mental energy. We'll be back next week with hopefully two shows - one on the new IOC president Kirsty Coventry and Alison's report from Figure Skating World Champs. Thanks so much for your understanding, and until next time, keep the flame alive!
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Book Club Claire on Paralympian Sydney Collier's Memoir "Beyond Expectations"s
03/21/2025
Book Club Claire on Paralympian Sydney Collier's Memoir "Beyond Expectations"s
Book Club Claire is back for our first selection of 2025, which is by a TKFLASTANI! We're reading by with Heather Wallace. For Sydney, a routine eye exam turned into a diagnosis of a life-threatening rare disease. She's defied all expectations--particularly in terms of lifespan--to become a Paralympian in para dressage. She overcame some pretty touch obstacles to earn her ticket to Rio 2016, and the book discusses how she's famous in the rare disease world and her journey to Rio. Follow and on Insta! Also on this episode, a Paris 2024 bullying case goes to trial, lots of news from Milan-Cortina 2026, and the International Olympic Committee has elected a new president! We have our initial thoughts on the new boss of the Olympics. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! We do use affiliate links where possible. If you purchase something through them, we may earn a commission. *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: The Debacles of Women's Gymnastics
03/13/2025
Sydney 2000: The Debacles of Women's Gymnastics
While the Sydney 2000 Olympics are generally considered to be one of the best Games of all time, yet they still had their fair share of issues, particularly in the gymnastics venue. In the latest installment of our year-long look back at Sydney 2000, Alison explores the numerous debacles during the gymnastics competitions, including a women's team competition that saw a podium change years later, and an all-around competition that forced a massive change in the vault starting with Athens 2004. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Alison Levine's Paris 2024 Paralympics
03/06/2025
Alison Levine's Paris 2024 Paralympics
Sometimes all of the training and preparation in the world doesn't get you to the Paralympic podium. Boccia player experienced that firsthand during the Paris 2024 Paralympics, when tournament bracket design forced her to face the other top player early on in the elimination rounds. Play didn't go her way, and she didn't get the results she wanted. It didn't get better in the mixed doubles tournament, when she and teammate Iulian Ciobanu lost to Thailand in the bronze medal match. Even with the disappointment, Alison's Paris experience was, on the whole, a good one. Along with talking about the tournament and how she regrouped after the Paralympics, Alison tells us about life in the Athletes' Village, how accessible design made life a lot easier for a couple of weeks, and the infamous Paris 2024 chocolate muffin. Learn more about Alison at her , and follow her on and . This week, we're also celebrating one year to go until the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympics! Tickets for the Paralympics go on sale March 6. We also have another installment of our slidingnovela--this time, with good news! Plus, news from the International Olympic Committee, the World Games (with a Games-first event for Chengdu 2025), and an update from And finally, this month, we'll have a special feature on our for all members, free and paying. Check it out and join us there! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Kenny Bednarek's Paris Olympics
02/27/2025
Kenny Bednarek's Paris Olympics
We catch up with sprinter Kenny Bednarek and learn about his Paris 2024 experience running the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. He did bring home some hardware, but also had many learning experiences (and we're not just talking about dealing with the lack of A/C in Paris). We also look ahead to Kenny's 2025 season and how he's preparing for World Athletics' world championships. Be sure to watch Kenny's documentary series . Also check out his and follow him on and . Also on this episode: IT's the vibe, says Milan-Cortina 2026 The Milan-Cortina is out The "Sabataggio" installment of the Slidingnovela Potential sports for French Alps 2030 An exciting hire for Brisbane 2032 (that devastates Alison) Leadership announcements for SLC 2034 New and continuing sponsors at the IOC - about them! News from TKFLASTAN For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Para Powerlifter Bobby Body's Paris 2024 Paralympics
02/20/2025
Para Powerlifter Bobby Body's Paris 2024 Paralympics
We catch up with our para powerlifter Bobby Body and talk with him about his experience at Paris 2024, including: What it was like to compete on the final day of the Games Dealing with no-lifts that resulted in a 4th place finish What it's like to get Team USA kit when you've got a powerlifter's body--did Bobby hulk out of his ceremonies uniforms? We also have news from past and upcoming Games, including a Paris 2024 concert and Milan-Cortina 2026 ticket and torch relay news. The Slidingnovela has another installment, and we have a major announcement about the show's future. Plus, the International Olympic Committee has picked a year for the first eSports Games (not this year), and we have a lot of news from Team Keep the Flame Alive (TKFLASTAN). For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: Glory and Disgrace on the Track
02/13/2025
Sydney 2000: Glory and Disgrace on the Track
Runners Cathy Freeman and Marion Jones, two of the stars from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, could not have had more different outcomes to their experiences at these Games. In this look back at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Alison has the amazing story of Cathy Freeman, who brought Olympic glory to Australia and the Aboriginal people. Meanwhile, Jill unravels the complicated story of Marion Jones, who was the first women to ever win five medals in a single Games in athletics. Until she gave them back--before the International Olympic Committee decided to strip them from her for doping. And went to prison for lying under oath. For a full source list and transcript, please visit our website. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2025, these episodes explore the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: X: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Ken Hanscom's Travel Tips for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
02/06/2025
Ken Hanscom's Travel Tips for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
It's one year to go until the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics! Tickets went on sale today, which means it's time to figure out travel plans--and because Milan-Cortina is really spread out across northern Italy, travel between venue clusters is going to be much more complicated. Not to worry though. Our Olympics travel expert Ken Hanscom is back to talk about traveling to Milan-Cortina for the Games. He shares: What to think about when buying tickets Why Milan will be a great host city for the Games Where to stay if you can't find a hotel in Cortina What the roads are like between the different venue clusters Follow Ken on , and learn more about TicketManager on and its . Besides travel, there's a lot of news from Milan-Cortina, which we dive into. The slidingnovela continues on, with both and articles citing sources that say progress on the new track is going well, but we're not sure what that actually means. If you're going to Milan-Cortina for the Olympics, please ! This episode also features news from Paris 2024, LA 2028, French Alps 2030, and a visit to to check in on our past guests. Many of them of competing right now in hopes of qualifying for Milan-Cortina! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Brazilian Cross-Country Skier Bruna Moura's Olympic Quest
01/30/2025
Brazilian Cross-Country Skier Bruna Moura's Olympic Quest
Brazilian cross-country skier Bruna Moura joins us to talk about her continuing gritty journey to become an Olympian. A former mountain biker, Bruna took up roller skiing to help her recover from surgery. She found a love for the sport and transferred to snow to achieve her goal of representing her country at an Olympics. She was supposed to realize her dream in 2022 when she qualified for the Beijing Winter Olympics at the last minute. However, as she was riding to the airport to fly to China for the Games, she was in a horrific car crash, in which she sustained several serious injuries. That setback hasn’t deterred Bruna from achieving her goal, and she is back on the cross-country skiing circuit trying to earn enough points to qualify for Milan-Cortina 2026. We talk with Bruna about how she found her sport and how athletes from underrepresented nations cobble together training, equipment and travel on the cross-country ski circuit. We also discuss her almost-journey to Beijing and how her accident fueled her drive to keep going toward her goal. Follow Bruna Moura on and ! Our friend Nick Zaccardi wrote a great article about her journey – check it out ! Also on today’s episode: The International Olympic Committee has pressed pause on its plans to hold an Olympic Esports Games in 2025. Sports Business broke the (paywalled), and we talk about what that could mean for the future of the event. Perhaps the new IOC President will have thoughts on the direction that event should take. This week, the seven candidates meet in Lausanne to present their candidacy to IOC membership. Plus, we have news from TKFLASTAN, including results for a number of our winter athletes and some great honors for our para archer Matt Stutzman. For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!
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Sarah Cookler on Ski Mountaineering
01/23/2025
Sarah Cookler on Ski Mountaineering
The one new sport on the program for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is ski mountaineering (aka skimo). What is this sport all about, and why should you watch it? Sarah Cookler, Head of Sport for (USA Ski Mountaineering Association), joins us to talk about the sport, how it works, and how much fun its debut at Milan-Cortina will be. Follow USA Skimo on and ! They're @usaskimo. Also on today's show: Massive problems with the bronze medals from Paris 2024 - this New York Times story is worth a read too Ticket news from Milan-Cortina 2026 We've officially dubbed the sliding track situation our "Slidingnovela" The neutral athlete situation for the 2026 Olympics Doping news has had a big week--we've got results, honors, a tough situation, and some listener views on and . Links mentioned on the show: New York Times - Paris 2024 medals: Milan-Cortina ticket price chart: For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Sydney 2000: The Bid and Opening Ceremonies
01/16/2025
Sydney 2000: The Bid and Opening Ceremonies
Welcome to our look back at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics! We asked which historical Games should get a deep dive, and your response was to take another look at arguably one of the best Olympics of all time. On this episode, Jill delves into how Sydney won the right to host the Games against a crowded field that included Beijing, Berlin, Manchester (UK) and Istanbul. Would Sydney win on merit, or was there something fishy going on with their bid? Then Alison looks at the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics and Paralympics, with its grand walk through Australian history, big star performances and the epic cauldron lightings. Especially fun to watch: Sydney 2000 bid song: Opening Ceremonies song "Under the Southern Skies": Olympics Opening Ceremonies: Paralympics Opening Ceremonies: For a full list of sources and a transcript, please visit our website: . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Movie Club: The Fire Inside
01/09/2025
Movie Club: The Fire Inside
returns to look at the 2024 biopic "The Fire Inside," which tells the story of Olympic boxer Claressa Shields and her journey to winning her first Olympic gold medal at London 2012. The movie also goes beyond her first victory to show what happens when the Games are over--and unfortunately, Claressa is one of the many Olympic athletes who do not see a financial windfall after the Games. Also on the show: News from Paris 2024 (how about those finances?!) News from Milan-Cortina 2026 ( is coming up, and Plan B is coming together) News from TKFLASTAN VOTE FOR US! We're nominated for a Sports Podcast Award, but we need your vote to get to the top of the podium. Vote here by Jan. 13! https:// For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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Chamonix 1924: Was Curling Really an Olympic Event at Chamonix?
12/22/2024
Chamonix 1924: Was Curling Really an Olympic Event at Chamonix?
It's the final episode of our series on Chamonix 1924! Alison explores the controversial curling event, which had teams that didn't show up, players on multiple teams, and the designation of not being an official Olympic event--or was it? Listen to find out! For a transcript of this episode, please visit . Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed. Support the show: Bookshop.org store: Become a patron and get bonus content: Hang out with us online: Facebook: Insta: Facebook Group: Newsletter: Sign up at VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348
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