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: https://riverside.fm/studio/keep-the-flame-alive-live?t=d094981a869f108e400f

Watch the men's 4x100m freestyle relay: https://youtu.be/HQi9w5nV-L8?si=1rDNyyccZAFYOiAo

Watch Daniel Igali's gold medal match:

• Part 1: https://youtu.be/oDUQQoqeyWw?si=ziYn44BHay17rMaa
• Part 2: https://youtu.be/-yrBlAzTJwE?si=SlXIn_iVui4FNJ_s

Watch Rulon Gardner v Aleksandr Karelin: https://youtu.be/oVT3-wbL8HU?si=-JKqcWlbyTedSb4v

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Find a list of sources used in this episode here.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

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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 here.

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:

https://www.usatf.org/news/2025/usa-track-field-announces-standards-for-2028-u-s-o

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 http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

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 website, and follow her on Instagram.

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 Listener Tommy's website (https://tommyaphillips.com/medal-mayhem/) to see how he did in projecting the medals at Paris 2024.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Rep TKFLASTAN with merch: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

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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 Instagram and YouTube!

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 suicide and mental health crisis hotline.

Resources for eating disorders include:

• National Eating Disorder Association: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/
• The Bulimia Project https://bulimia.com/
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders: https://anad.org/ and helpline: 1-888-375-7767

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

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 http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: Games History Moment 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: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Merch: https://flamealivepod.com/store/

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

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X: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

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Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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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 Olympic Studies Hub.

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 event website:

https://business.uoregon.edu/news/uo-olympic-studies-week-2025

Follow Dr. Dubinsky on LinkedIn!

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 opening up a business line, and who's having babies!

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Buy merch here: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/keep-the-flame-alive

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

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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 Outofshapeworthlessloser: A Memoir of Figure Skating, F*cking Up, and Figuring It Out (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 website and follow her on Insta and X.

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 here.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Buy merch here: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/keep-the-flame-alive

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

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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 USA Cycling on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok!

In Milan-Cortina 2026 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 TKFLASTAN, we hear from Alison Levine, Kim Rhode and Dick Pound.

For more information and a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast 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: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe

VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348