An Olympics Newscast Special - Six Months Until Paris
Jan 26, 2024
auto_awesome
Chair of UK Sport and decorated Olympian Katherine Grainger, Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, BBC Sport presenter Sarah Mulkerrins, and sports reporter Romain Baheux discuss the preparations and excitement for the upcoming Olympics in Paris. They talk about security concerns, new sports in the Olympics, prominent athletes, and the focus on the team and city at the opening ceremony.
The Paris Olympics will be held outside a stadium for the first time, with many events happening on the streets and regenerated areas of the city, aiming to bring the games closer to the people.
UK Sport's strategy for the 2024 Olympics focuses on supporting athletes in both traditional and new sports, aiming to invest in future potential and enable them to represent the nation in various disciplines.
Deep dives
Paris Olympics Preview
The Paris Olympics are just six months away, and the city is gearing up for the grand event. The opening ceremony is set to be held along the River Seine, making it the first time in Olympic history that the ceremony will take place outside a stadium. The focus of these Olympics is to bring the games to the people, with many events happening on the streets and in regenerated areas of the city. Parisians are feeling a mix of excitement and concern about the Games, with some worried about traffic and disruptions, while others look forward to the potential benefits for the city. The inclusion of new sports like breaking, skateboarding, and freestyle BMX aims to appeal to a younger audience and bring a fresh, exciting element to the Olympics.
UK Sport Strategy and Medal Targets
UK Sport, the governing body responsible for supporting British athletes, has a long-term strategy in place for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The strategy aims to continue the success of Team GB and Paralympics GB by investing public money in a wide range of sports. The focus is not only on traditional sports but also on new sports added to the Olympic program, such as skateboarding and breaking. While UK Sport doesn't set specific medal targets at this stage, the aim is to support athletes and sports with future potential, enabling them to perform at their best and represent the nation in various disciplines.
Athlete Perspectives and Preparations
As the Olympics approach, athletes are in different stages of preparation and anticipation. For some, like Sarah Mulkerns from BBC Sport, the excitement is building as she gears up to cover the events in Paris. Elite athletes, like four-time Olympic medalist Rebecca Adlington, are focused on April qualification competitions to secure their spot in the swimming team. The uncertainty adds nerves, making athletes more anxious about the qualification process than the actual Games. However, once they secure their place, they can then focus on the Olympics themselves and are eagerly looking forward to the return of spectators and the inspiration they bring. At the same time, the host city, Paris, is making final preparations for the Games and addressing concerns about transport, security, and the impact on the local community.
New Sports and the Olympic Spirit
The addition of new sports to the Olympic program, such as breaking, skateboarding, and freestyle BMX, has brought a fresh and exciting element to the Games. These sports have generated significant interest and appeal to a younger audience, showcasing diverse talents and personalities. The Olympics, beyond being a showcase of athletic prowess, also serve as a platform for stories that captivate viewers. It's an opportunity for spectators to cheer for their country and get behind underdogs, creating a sense of unity and excitement. The power of the Olympics lies in its ability to engage audiences in sports they may not usually follow, introducing them to new athletes and inspiring future generations.
Today, we look at this summer’s Paris Olympics. With six months to go until the opening ceremony we see how Parisians are preparing, the hopes of Team GB and who could be the breakout stars of this year’s games.
To guide you through Adam is joined by the Chair of UK Sport and one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians, Katherine Grainger, Olympic gold medallist swimmer, Rebecca Adlington, BBC Sport presenter Sarah Mulkerrins and sports reporter for Le Parisien, Romain Baheux.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper, Sam McLaren and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor was Chris Gray. The senior news editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode