Jacquie Beltrao | Grief, Grit and the Olympic Dream

Sky News Sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao joins Georgie for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, identity, and what sport has taught her about life. From a humble upbringing to the Olympic stage, Jacquie shares how her dream of competing in rhythmic gymnastics at the 1984 Los Angeles Games became a reality — despite the heartbreak of losing her mum just weeks before.

She reflects on the emotional chaos of that time, the support of her sisters and coach, and the determination that pushed her through. That same mindset would carry her into the male-dominated world of sports broadcasting, where she became one of the few women on screen at Sky Sports, juggling career, motherhood, and relentless early starts.

Jacquie also opens up about her long battle with breast cancer, including a stage-four diagnosis during lockdown. Her approach to treatment — combining medical care with fierce positivity and mental visualisation — is both unique and inspiring.

From emotional Olympic memories to crying in the press box at Wimbledon, Jacquie’s story is one of grit, humour, and humanity. This is a deeply moving episode that explores what it really means to overcome — and how sport can shape the way we face life’s toughest challenges.

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