 Today we're learning what the Olympics are like from a National Governing Body (NGB) point of view. Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Weightlifting joins us to talk about what his NGB does for its elite, Olympic-bound athletes, as well as for its clubs, coaches and other athlete members. We also talk about drug testing in the wake of COVID-19 and how that's especially important to the sport of weightlifting. Follow Phil on Twitter and Insta, and check out his website!  USA Weightlifting is currently holding virtual competitions - learn more here! We also mentioned an Olympic Channel short on the legendary Greek weightlifer Pyrros Dimas, who's now working with USA Weightlifting. Grab a tissue and watch that here. Congrats to our Team Olympic Fever triathlete Joe Maloy on the birth of his daughter! Also, will Team Olympic Fever gymnast Chellsie Memmel make a comeback? Follow her on social @CMemmel and find out. We have new dates for Tokyo 2020! The Olympics will take place from July 23 to August 8, 2021, and the Paralympics will take place from August 24 to September 5, 2021. The Tokyo Organizing Committee and Here We Go task force got those out in short order! 

Olympic Fever

Episode 131 - An NGB Perspective with USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews

 It's official: The Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We look at the timeline of the decision. We also check in with Team Olympic Fever members Jacqueline Simoneau, DeAnna Price, Samantha Schultz and new members Dr. Mary O'Connor and Phil Andrews to see how they're doing. We also discuss some of the thousands of pieces that are in play in rescheduling the Games for (likely) 2021. 

Episode 130: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Postponed

 We welcome John MacLeod back to the show to talk about his experiences as a member of Team Canada's 1976 Olympic water polo team. John tells us what it was like to make the team, travel behind the Iron Curtain and march in the Opening Ceremonies. We also discuss what it was like to return to normal life after having a great Olympic experience, and how that transition can be difficult. Jill also tells a couple of Olympic-related stories of when she visited Innsbruck back in 1992 (her clothes were almost as fabulous as those from the 1970s). Plus, our self-isolation wouldn't be complete without relating an update on what COVID-19 has disrupted in terms of the Tokyo 2020 plans. We need your help! We've started mapping out all of the Olympic-related sites in the world so that wherever you go, you might be able to visit a little bit of Olympism. Help us fill up our map with arenas, museums, statues, etc. Together we can show how the Olympics have touched all parts of the world. Don't forget, our next book club episode is coming up! You can find our latest selection here. 

Episode 129: John MacLeod, Montreal 1976 Olympic Water Polo Player

 We're going back to 1976 to hear one Olympian's story of what life was like on the luge track at a time when there wasn't even a U.S. Luge Association. Maura Grogan, née Haponski, tells us how she got involved in the sport as a high schooler, what it was like to train with hardly any resources, and about her time at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck. This is definitely the story of taking Pierre de Coubertin to heart and valuing the participation aspect of the Olympics (but hey, the U.S. team finished all their runs, which was an amazing feat for them). If you want to know more about that time in U.S. luge history, Sports Illustrated ran a piece just before the 1976 Olympics that's a fantastic read. We've got a Team Olympic Fever update with Clare Egan, Erin Jackson and Jacqueline Simoneau. Catch Jacqueline on the radio here. The Olympic Flame has officially been lit! We talk about the torch lighting ceremony – and yes, the women in the Greek temple are priestesses, not goddesses, as we keep saying. But the flame! It's lit! Don't forget, there's still time to suggest a new name for the podcast! We're taking suggestions until March 15. 

Episode 128: Maura Grogan, U.S. Luge Pioneer

 We're back! We definitely needed that break from learning we have to rename our show, but now we need to come up with a name. That's where you come in – we're having a Show Name Suggestion Bonanza, and we'd like your input! [note: this is not a contest; we're just looking for ideas]. Fill out the form here – it's got a list of considerations we have to keep in mind. We'll take suggestions through March 15, 2020. Thanks for your participation! On to today's show: The Olympics used to be a showcase for amateurism, but over time they've grown more and more commercialized. Authors Stephen R. Wenn and Robert K. Barney join us to talk about their new book The Gold in the Rings: The People and Events that Transformed the Gamesand the key people throughout Olympic history who made an impact on its trajectory. Yep, that includes some Avery Brundage talk! Stephen is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. Robert is a professor emeritus and founding director emeritus of the International Center for Olympic Studies at the School of Kinesiology at Western University. They have also written with Scott Martyn the book Tarnished Rings: The International Olympic Committee and the Salt Lake City Bid Scandal. You can learn more about their book from University of Illinois Press. We've got lots of TOFU from our bobsledders, divers and gymnasts – and big news for the dulcet tones of Jason Bryant. It's been a couple of weeks, so we have a ton of Tokyo 2020 news: Most importantly, as of right now, the Games will not be suspended or cancelled due to coronavirus. Please stop asking the IOC about it. Japan's podium uniforms have been released The Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage is going to have the first Olympic agora at a Games, opening April 24 through August 16. Here's a schedule and map The Torch will be lit next week (NEXT WEEK!), but our friend Karolos Grohman writes that the ceremonies in Greece will be scaled back Also, what do you think of Tokyo 2020's kinetic pictograms? Alison definitely has some opinions on them. We also have an IOC update which includes a list of athletes who have officially changed countries. And, Paris 2024 has an official surfing venue! 

Episode 127: The Evolution of Olympic Commercialism

 While we're taking a break after last week's big news, we've got a Lightning Round episode for you. This edition features hammer thrower DeAnna Price, taekwondo athlete Madelynn Gorman-Shore, swimmer Mallory Comerford and gymnast Jake Dalton. **DISCLAIMER:  OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate.** 

Episode 126: Lightning Round 8

 We've got a big announcement about the future of the show -- we tell you all about it in this episode. DISCLAIMER: OLYMPIC® is a trademark of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOPC”). Any use of OLYMPIC® in the Olympic Fever podcast is strictly for informational and commentary purposes. The Olympic Fever podcast is not an official podcast of the USOPC. The Olympic Fever podcast is not a sponsor of the USOPC, nor is Olympic Fever associated with or endorsed by USOPC in any way. The content of Olympic Fever podcast does not reflect the opinions, standards, views, or policies of the USOPC, and the USOPC in no way warrants that content featured in Olympic Fever is accurate. 

Episode 125: Change Is in the Air

 Might Alison have found a distant relative? We're talking archery with Hannah Brown, the chair of officials for the Tokyo 2020 archery tournament. She tells us how an archery tournament is set up, and what she remembers from tournaments (hint: It's not who wins). She did the test event too, so she describes the Tokyo venue and how you can "have a go" if you have tickets to any of the archery dates at the Olympics. [If you do go, and you hear massive cheering for the officials, Jill's in the stands.] Also, this week's slice of TOFU with DeAnna Price, Clare Egan, Erin Jackson and Laura Wilkinson. Several countries have released their Tokyo 2020 team uniforms, and we have thoughts. Tokyo's got great plans for the Paralympic flame, and Tahiti has the French waves. 

Episode 124: Hannah Brown, Olympic Archery Official

 We're back in the gym with U.S. gymnast Jake Dalton, who tells us about his experiences at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. We also learn about the strategy involved in the gymnastics team competition. Follow Jake on Facebook, Insta and Twitter. Also subscribe to his YouTube channel for more gymnastics videos! Our Team Olympic Fever Update, sponsored by PinCollector.com, includes the latest results from bobsledder Lauren Gibbs and speedskater Erin Jackson. Bobsled stud Josh Williamson is also in Team USA news. In our Tokyo 2020 update, we succumb to coronavirus talk, and we have updates on the volleyball and baseball competitions. We also learn that the International Paralympic Committee might pull wheelchair basketball from the Tokyo 2020 program. What?!?! Episode 116: Olympian Jake Dalton Explains Men’s Gymnastics Episode 106: Chellsie Memmel on (Adult) Gymnastics Episode 40: Synchronized Swimming Is No Joke 

Episode 123: Jake Dalton's Olympics

 We're diving in the pool this week! Mallory Comerford, Olympic hopeful, US National Team member and swimmer for the International Swim League's Cali Condors, shares some tips on what freestylers are doing in the water, so we viewers can better figure out what's going on in the pool (beyond the drive to be the fastest swimmer). Of course, since it's us, we also want the lowdown on swimsuits--Mallory's an ambassador for Arena, one of the big global swimwear brands--shampoo and shaving. We got the details for you! Follow Mallory on Twitter and Insta! The Technical Officials' uniforms for Tokyo 2020 have been released! There's nothing Jill loves more than a good official's uniform, and Tokyo has delivered once again! Also, Gracenote Sports has released its forecasted virtual medal table – we'll keep an eye on the predictions. Photo by Mike Lewis, courtesy of Arena. 

Episode 122: Olympic Hopeful Mallory Comerford on Swimming

 Book Club Claire is back! We've got a rousing discussion of "The Suspect: An Olympic Bombing, the FBI, the Media, and Richard Jewell, the Man Caught in the Middle" by Kent Alexander & Kevin Salwen. The book covers the story of the bombing during the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and how the rise of the 24-hour media cycle contributed to getting the story wrong. Claire also talks with Andrew Maraniss, the author of our next selection. Find out more about that book on our Book Club page. Be sure to follow Claire on Twitter and read her Olympics blog "Light the Cauldron." Our Team Olympic Fever Update, sponsored by PinCollector.com, features Samantha (Achterberg) Schultz, Clare Egan, and the newly christened bobsled stud Josh Williamson (we did not come up with that, honestly!). We also delve into the International Olympic Committee Athlete's Commission's new guidelines on Rule 50. Rule 50 prohibits advertising—with some exceptions—but it also prohibits protests. We talk about what that could mean for Tokyo and beyond. 

Episode 121: Book Club Claire on "The Suspect"

 We're hitting the beach with Olympic hopeful beach volleyball athlete Kelly Claes. Kelly and her partner Sarah Sponcil are currently ranked 8th in the world….although that might not be enough to get them to Tokyo. Kelly tells us all about the sport and how they're dealing with the pressure of the upcoming Games. Plus, the Tokyo 2020 ticket design has been released, and we talk about who might be throwing in bids for the 2030 and 2032 Olympics. Follow Kelly on Twitter and Insta (be sure to check out her videos!!) and visit her website. A little housekeeping from the show: This past weekend, Jill saw Sydney 2000 Opening Ceremonies performers Human Nature in Las Vegas (note: that link conveniently starts on a John Coates shot). Also, congrats to Team Olympic Fever member Dr. Micheal Warren for his first journal publication! Thanks to our Team Olympic Fever Update sponsor PinCollector.com. Collect Olympic pins? You need to be on PinCollector and take advantage of its great pin database! Enough said! We also want to give a shout out to our Patron of the Week, Stanley Yang! Stanley makes a recurring donation through Patreon, and we so appreciate his support of our show! Thank you, Stanley!! 

Episode 120: Olympic Hopeful Kelly Claes on Beach Volleyball

 Movie Club is now in session! We welcome our newest contributor Fran Johnson (aka Film Buff Fran) to lead us in a discussion of "Chariots of Fire," the Academy Award- and BAFTA-winning story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, British runners who competed at the Paris 1924 Olympics. As mentioned in the show, there was a documentary produced in the run up to London 2012 that traced the real Chariots of Fire. Also, Listener Don and his wife Liz are watching, eating and blogging their way through the Criterion collection of official Olympic films. They're taking on Paris 1924 soon--and Don says you can see some of the "Chariots of Fire" characters in the film! Be sure to check it out at Sprockets of Fire. In our Tokyo 2020 update, the Organizing Committee has released the 20 commissioned art posters for the Olympics (12) and Paralympics (8). If you can tell us the significance of the scary cat person, please contact us! Thanks to our show sponsor RR Auction. Register for its upcoming Olympic memorabilia auction, which features Olympic medals, diplomas, torches, tickets and more! Bidding starts TODAY and runs through the 16th. When you register, be sure to mention Olympic Fever! Thanks also to our Team Olympic Fever Update sponsor PinCollector.com. If you collect Olympic pins, you must be on this site. Show off your collection and find pins you want to add to it. You can buy, sell and trade on the platform—all at lower rates than other online platforms. Thanks to PinCollector, we have our own Olympic Fever pin. Support the show, and you’ll get one of your very own (and while supplies last, a genuine Olympic card to go with it!). 

Episode 119: Film Buff Fran on "Chariots of Fire"

 Team USA recently aired Season 3 of its "The Next Olympic Hopeful" program in which it tests athletes from around the country to find potential talent that can fill out the development programs in some of the smaller sports on the Olympic program. Skeleton winner Leah Fair joins us to talk about her experience on the show, what it's like to hurl yourself down a mountain face first, and what she learned about custom fitting a skeleton helmet. Plus, there's a new chapter for both the Maranovela and the Hotelnovela, and a nice slice of TOFU! Follow Leah on Insta! Thanks to our show sponsor RR Auction. Register for its upcoming Olympic memorabilia auction, which features Olympic medals, diplomas, torches, tickets and more! Bidding starts January 9 and runs through the 16th. When you register, be sure to mention Olympic Fever! Thanks also to our Team Olympic Fever Update sponsor PinCollector.com. If you collect Olympic pins, you must be on this site. Show off your collection and find pins you want to add to it. You can buy, sell and trade on the platform—all at lower rates than other online platforms. Thanks to PinCollector, we have our own Olympic Fever pin. Support the show, and you'll get one of your very own (and while supplies last, a genuine Olympic card to go with it!). 

Episode 118: "Next Olympic Hopeful" Winner Leah Fair Takes on Skeleton

 Jill and Alison are celebrating the Christmas and New Year's holidays, so that means it's time for another Olympic Lightning Round episode where we hear from past guests. This time we have lightning round questions for ice technician and Zamboni driver Adam Stirn, gymnast Chellsie Memmel and author Roy Tomizowa. Our show sponsor this week is RR Auction. Founded in 1976, RR Auction is a globally recognized and trusted source for Olympic memorabilia, and its January Olympic auction is online now, with bidding running from January 9th-16th. Need a belated Christmas gift? An Olympic torch will certainly do the trick! Visit RRAuction.com to register, and don't forget to mention that you heard about RR from Olympic Fever Podcast. 

Episode 117: Lightning Round 7

Olympic Fever is the podcast for fans of the Olympics. Each week co-hosts Jill Jaracz and Alison Brown interview athletes, Gamesmakers, historians and more to the greatest sporting festival in the world. Give us a call: 530-7-O-FEVER.

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Olympic Fever

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