The Essential Olympic Stories

Muhammad Ali: From the Clay of Rome to the Ali of Atlanta

If he achieved legendary status in his sport through bouts against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton or George Foreman, Muhammad Ali will also always remain indelibly linked to the great history of the Olympic Games, which he marked on two occasions and in two entirely different contexts, almost half a century apart. It was not the Olympics which made Ali “The Greatest”, but his breakthrough role gave the boxer a unique place in Games folklore. The Essential Olympic Stories podcast is brought to you by Eurosport in association with Bridgestone. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Bob Beamon: The leap of the century

At the Mexico Olympics of 1968, Bob Beamon redefined the boundaries of the possible by shattering the long jump world record with his first jump in the final. The American’s leap of 8.90 metres pulverised the competition and was a staggering 55 centimetres better than the old benchmark. This almost immeasurable record would endure for over two decades. The Essential Olympic Stories podcast is brought to you by Eurosport in association with Bridgestone. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Greg Louganis: A leap of faith

Greg Louganis is the greatest diver of all time. First man to win the double double, at the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics, the American took his discipline to fresh heights. But the legendary Louganis did so while being weighed down by a heavy burden throughout the 80s: his HIV positive status, which he kept a secret. The Essential Olympic Stories podcast is brought to you by Eurosport in association with Bridgestone. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

John Akii-Bua: A life of glory and tragedy

John Akii-Bua came from nowhere to write a major chapter in athletics history by becoming Uganda's first ever Olympic gold medallist. His victory in the 400 metres hurdles with a world record time in Munich in 1972 saw Akii-Bua rise to prominence. But his destiny oscillated between glory and tragedy, his life coming to an end too early, aged 47 years. The Essential Olympic Stories podcast is brought to you by Eurosport in association with Bridgestone. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Dawn Fraser: Eternal glory and sorrow

Invariably seen as the best swimmer of the 20th century and Australia's greatest female athlete ever, Dawn Fraser was the first of only three swimmers in history to win individual gold medals for the same event – the 100-metre freestyle – at three successive Olympics. But behind the unique glory of an indisputable champion lies a personality marked by minor scandal and ineffaceable pain. The Essential Olympic Stories podcast is brought to you by Eurosport in association with Bridgestone. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.