On the Podium

The Argentinian legend who fought back from cancer. Santiago had won Olympic bronze before he got sick. After years of struggle, he came back to take gold at the Rio Games.

Breanna Stewart, star basketball player and advocate for victims of child sexual abuse, discusses her experience and activism. She reflects on the unique challenge of competing without crowds at the Tokyo Olympics and the joy of winning a sixth straight gold medal. The speakers also discuss the importance of using their platform for activism and the power of sharing personal stories. They explore how motherhood has changed their priorities and the correlation between authenticity and athletic performance.

Gold medal-winning speed skater Denny Morrison’s near death experience, and a teammate’s selflessness. A competitor gave up his place to give Denny a sporting break, but a devastating motorbike accident was to follow. He fought back against multiple injuries, before then suffering a stroke. But Denny refused to be beaten, qualifying for the 2018 Olympics.

Paralympian Birgit Skarstein talks about challenging stereotypes in women's sport and disability rights, reflecting on her gold medal win at the Tokyo Paralympics and her experience on Dancing With The Stars as a wheelchair user. She also discusses overcoming challenges and embracing independence, and emphasizes the importance of resilience and living in the present.

Olympic bronze against the odds, in only Molly Seidel's third ever marathon. Her success came after years of battling an eating disorder – a struggle with which she still lives. She talks about her mental health issues and the physical problems which bulimia can cause.

A champion swimmer’s journey to find a new path outside of the pool. Markus Rogan held a world record and won two Olympic silvers for Austria. But when he stopped competing, his world unravelled. Markus trained for a new career as a psychotherapist, and it led him back to the Olympics - as a sports psychologist.

A champion on and off the track. Paralympic track and field star Jaleen Roberts was born with physical disability cerebral palsy. But she has never let it stop her. She shares her mental health journey to help others. (CP description from Cerebral Palsy Alliance in US)

Still winning medals nearly 40 years on from his first Olympic Games, Australian equestrian Andrew Hoy has no plans to retire. After becoming the oldest man to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, he’s gearing up to compete again.

From a child fleeing conflict to the fastest Paralympian on earth. Salum Kashafali fought for survival, escaping the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo with his family. He took 100 metres gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, breaking his own world record and becoming a global role model.

The non-pro Austrian cyclist who beat the best, without the support of a single teammate. When Anna Kiesenhofer lined up for the women's road race, few thought she was a contender. But her belief paid off and she became the first Austrian to win gold at a Summer Games for 17 years.