Sportshour

We speak to former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schechter ahead of the Divisional round of the NFL. Teams, including the Bills, are just two victories away from the Super Bowl. Plus in the week that President Donald Trump leaves office we head back to the early 1980s and his departure from professional sport. One of Trump’s ambitions was to own a sport franchise and he converted an NFL team. Unable to make this happen, he purchased the New Jersey Generals American football team of the newly formed USFL. Within two years the league had collapsed and many blame Trump for its demise.Germany's Julia Gorges graced the world’s top ten, earned 10 million dollars in prize money and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon but she tells us why the pandemic made her realise she didn't need tennis in her life and decided to retire from the sport last year. Plus all the reaction following the second day of the final men's Test match between India and Australia and the latest in Galle where England's men are taking on Sri L

2020 was a sporting year like no other. The coronavirus pandemic forced global sport into an unprecedented shutdown, with Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics among the events postponed. Liverpool won the Premier League and Bayern Munich the Champions League behind closed doors as sport returned without fans. In this first Sportshour of 2021 we catch up with those sports people from around the world who told us how the pandemic impacted on their lives. What happened after we first spoke? And what are their hopes for the sporting year ahead?Photo: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games CEO Toshiro Muto (R) speaks during a press conference following a Tokyo2020 Olympics Executive Board meeting on December 22, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

This special programme explores the sad and controversial life of Jim Thorpe - the American Indian who was the star of the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, where the Swedish King famously told him 'Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world'.Thorpe had grown up on the Sac and Fox Indian reservation in Oklahoma and then, as a teenager, was sent 1500 miles away to a boarding school in Pennsylvania whose purpose was to 'civilise' Indian children by eradicating their culture. Its motto was 'Kill the Indian and save the man'. The pupils were forced to wear military uniforms, have short hair, and were punished if they spoke their own languages. 'The last phase of the Indian wars was fought in the classroom', says one contributor.Thorpe was saved by sport and became the school's great star at both athletics and American football. He's often described as the 'first international sporting superstar'. But in 1913 it came out that he had been paid a few dollars to play minor-league baseball and the elite amateurs who ran

Bubba Wallace joins us to reflect on a turbulent 2020 and to look ahead to racing for his new Michael Jordan owned team in 2021. Wallace led the successful calls for his sport to ban the confederate flag before a subsequent incident in Alabama prompted an FBI investigation. A member of his team found what looked like a noose hanging in his racing stall, with the authorities finding that no hate crime had been committed. As the only black driver at the top level of Nascar, Wallace tells us why it was important to speak out this year and how he feels about what happened in Alabama. He also tells us how excited he is to be working with Michael Jordan and that he’s been enjoying playing Call of Duty with Lewis Hamilton.Mary Annette Pember of the Red Cliff Ojibwe tribe joins us to give her thoughts on the decision of Cleveland’s baseball team to drop the term “Indians” from their name. Pember – who is National Correspondent for Indian Country Today – dismisses the idea that teams using Native American terms and

“Enough was enough – I felt like I was on the wrong side” – Tiara Brown on leaving the policeUnbeaten professional boxer Tiara Brown joins us following her recent decision to resign from the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. The former “DC Officer of the Year” tells us she became increasingly disheartened by some of the behaviour she witnessed from fellow officers when working at the protests that followed the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake. Brown believes law enforcement can’t be changed from the inside and says she’s been targeted on social media following her resignation.South Africa’s Devon Petersen tells us about his journey into darts and how he visualises winning the world championship during practise sessions ahead of next week’s PDC World Darts Championship. The crowd favourite also explains his walk on routine and laments the fact fans aren’t allowed to wear fancy dress this year. Petersen tells us in a normal year it’s not unusual to see “Santa having a pint

Slovenia’s Alenka Artnik joins us after she set a new world record in freediving by descending 374 feet below the surface of the Red Sea. Just off the coast of Egypt, she secured a four-pound weight around her neck and fastened herself to a thin line before holding her breath and going for the record. Artnik tells us about the pressures on her body, how a traumatic past led her to try freediving and how seeing a vision of her dead brother on a previous dive helped her come to terms with his passing.USA striker Jessica McDonald tells us about the challenges she has faced in balancing her sporting career with motherhood as FIFA prepare to bring in new maternity cover regulations. McDonald was the only mother in the USA’s World Cup winning squad in 2019. The North Carolina Courage player tells us she’s had coaches in the past who have used her son as a reason to criticise her when she’s had a bad game and that she knows plenty of players who have given up on football in order to start a family.The coach of the

Arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Diego Maradona, passed away aged 60 this week after suffering a heart attack.Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 – scoring the 'goal of the century' and becoming renowned for his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal, both of which came against England in the quarter-final of that tournament.The footballing world has been brought to a standstill with tributes flooding in from across the globe. Argentina announced three days of national mourning and there were huge celebrations of Maradona's life in the capital Buenos Aires and in the Italian city of Naples, where Maradona became a hero for delivering Napoli's only two league titles. Sportshour explores the legacy that Maradona leaves; bringing you reaction from around the globe to his death from the people he impacted the most. Director of the acclaimed 2019 Diego Maradona documentary, Asif Kapadia, tells the story of Maradona’s sensational life. He discusses Maradona’s difficult upbringing in poverty, ho

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton is known for his love of fashion and Alberto Hernandez is the man responsible for making his hats. Hernandez makes Newton a new fedora or Fez every week and tells us they began collaborating after Pharrell Williams recommended him to Newton. He breaks away from making Newton’s hat for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans to tell us how his grandfather taught him to make hats back in Mexico, the inspiration behind his designs and why you can’t buy copies of any of Newton’s hats. He also gives us an exclusive ahead of this week’s hat being revealed.Dee Caffari is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions. She tells us how people can use what she learned at sea to help themselves deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness during the covid-19 pandemic.The president of Netball South Africa – Cecilia Molokwane – joins us ahead of the three-test series against Malawi. Molokwane tells us how the covid-19 pandemic

Former boxing world champion Heather Hardy – gives us an insight into the realities of making a living from boxing ahead of a huge night at Wembley Arena, which sees two women’s world title fights on the same bill.Hardy believes the sport still has much to do in terms of the gender pay gap and that the time has come for women to stop thanking men for opportunities to showcase their skills. Hardy says women need to co-headline big shows and admits her own career may be over. She lost her world title in her last fight and says she’ll never fight again for “a pay check that doesn’t make sense”. However, despite her own struggles in the sport, Hardy does believe boxing is a viable career choice for young girls and women that are coming through now.We also hear from promoter Eddie Hearn, who addresses Hardy’s concerns about pay and promotion for female fighters and the BBC’s boxing correspondent, Mike Costello, gives us his views on the pay gap and looks ahead to the night's action.Gia Peebles and Lesleigh Mausi f

Seth Gottesdiener has spent the last six weeks cycling across America to gauge the mood of his nation in 2020. He started in Los Angeles, where he owns a gym, and finished in Washington D.C in time for election night. Along the way he spoke to a cross section of society and asked each person the same ten questions – including: Are you proud to be an American? The conversations will form the basis of a documentary he’s making.Gottesdiener tells us polling night in the nations capital city was “very eerie”, this year has served as a catalyst for change, his belief that most people are moderate and his feeling that whichever way the election result goes, it will take time for both sides to come together and move forward. Paris St Germain and Canada striker Jordyn Huitema tells Nesta McGregor about being a star on the football pitch and social media. She explains her early days in the sport, how she lived in a hotel for six months when she arrived at PSG and the steep learning curve at the club. Huitema also tell

Former three-time Olympic gymnastics medallist - Danell Leyva - revealed his sexuality on National Coming Out Day in the United States earlier this month. The 29-year-old tells us his mum is the only member of his family he is out to and he feels he is “almost cheating” by talking to us, because most of his family can’t speak English. He recalls things family members have said, not knowing his sexuality, that have had an impact on him. He also tells us people have reached out to him on social media to tell him that his story has helped them. Leyva – who represented Team USA during his athletic career – has now moved into acting. He’s not keen to put a label on his sexuality and adds he would like to create a television show where a bisexual male is the main character as he feels historically bisexuals have not been taken seriously.One year on from South Africa’s men winning the Rugby World Cup we speak to Nolusindiso Booi, who is captain of the women’s team. She reflects on the men’s achievement and tells us

With the both the men's and women's NRL Grand Finals taking place this weekend, we preview both matches which will be played as a double header in front of a 40,000 person crowd. Current captain of the Brisbane Bronco's Ali Brigginshaw joins us to look ahead to what we can expect from both matches and how Brisbane are looking for their third win a row. How diverse is the sport of cheerleading? Caroline Nyemi-Tei founded Cheer from Head to Toe to address poor representation in the sport. She tells us about a new video she has released which documents athletes and coaches experiences of racism in the industry and how the sport can be more inclusive.We also look at the link between sport and elections. A study conducted ten years ago argues that the fate of the person who holds a seat can be influenced by other matters like whether the local sports team wins or loses in the weeks prior to an election. We explore if this is still relevant with Stanford University Professor Neil Malhotra who conducted the research

Former Kenyan Premier League player Jacob Viera tells us how a Tanzanian gang almost killed him after he refused to be a drugs mule. He was electrocuted in the attack and his doctor felt he would need a miracle to survive. A subsequent trial at Newcastle United led to him seeking asylum in England. While waiting to gain UK residency he suffered a serious injury that ended his hopes of becoming a professional footballer. He’s now living in Liverpool and doing his refereeing qualifications. He aims to become a Fifa elite referee and says it would be a dream to take charge of a Merseyside Derby.Legendary South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener joins us in the week he completed a 200km endurance race on the dry salt pans of the Verneukpan in the Northern Cape. He was part of “Team Cricket” in the Battle of the Sports event to raise funds for covid relief in South Africa. He tells us how they battled the terrain, mental fatigue and sleep deprivation. Klusener also explains why he needed to do something to help peo

“I don’t see it as trying to hit new milestones as a female” – Joy Neville on making history. The Irish referee will become the first woman to take on Television Match Official duties in a men's international game when Wales face Georgia next month. Neville tells us how she initially needed some convincing to become a referee, how other people’s doubts over whether a woman could make it as a top official have driven her on and she explains her approach to being a TMO.Maryam Shojaei joins us one year on from three and a half thousand women attending Iran’s men’s World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in Tehran. Apart from a few exceptions, women had effectively been banned from stadiums where men were playing since just after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Shojaei ran a campaign -- first anonymously and later publicly -- that led to Iran allowing women to attend men's football matches. She gives us her memories of the day and tells us about her hopes for the future.To celebrate Black History Month we speak to a p

Los Angeles gym owner Seth Gottesdiener is cycling across America to assess the mood of his nation as they approach the 2020 presidential election. Following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, he’s speaking to a cross section of society to see if America has more that unites it than divides it. His conversations will form the basis of a documentary, which will be released in time for the presidential inauguration. Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira joins us to reflect on surfing the biggest wave of the year. She tells us the sound of the 22.4 meter high wave crashing at the bottom will live with her forever as she has never been so scared. Gabeira also recalls how she was almost killed by a wave at the same beach in 2013 and how she battled self-doubt in her recovery.Only ten people have run every London Marathon and Chris Finill is one of them. Ahead of Sunday’s race he tells us about his love of running, how the covid-19 pandemic has affected his preparation and about the highs and lows he’s

Madison Hammond is the first Native American woman to sign a professional contract with an NWSL club. She joins us ahead of OL Reign’s opening game of the season and her potential debut against Utah Royals to discuss how she is hoping to inspire more Native American girls to play the sport. She also tells us about the financial barriers players from ethnic minority backgrounds can face as they try to make it in soccer and how the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked conversations with her team-mates.“I’m sort of like the canary in the coal mine – there’s a lot less ice in the winter, everywhere I go” – Canadian ice climber Will Gadd tells us how climate change and a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro have led him to consider his future in the sport. Gadd had hoped to scale the famous Messner Route earlier this year, but he was unable to as part of it has melted away. He worries that by the time his children are his age, there won’t be enough ice left to climb on KilimanjaroFootball journalist and Wrexham fan Bryn L

Tiara Brown joins us to discuss balancing life as a black athlete and police officer in the USA in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the shooting of Jacob Blake. The former amateur world champion boxer tells us she decided to join the police after her brother was murdered. Brown worries that police brutality is something that will never stop and she reveals she has considered leaving the force. She also gives us her thoughts on the movement to “Defund the police”, what it was like growing up with two mothers in the 1980s and her belief that women’s professional boxing will never gain true equality with the men’s ranks.As women’s international cricket resumes this week New Zealand cricket captain - Sophie Devine - speaks to us ahead of their ODI and T20 series against Australia. Devine tells us about life in quarantine, how she’s expecting both sides to struggle initially and about her hopes of regaining the Rose Bowl for the first time in twenty years. Devine also recalls how gutted she was when the inaug

We examine life in a sporting bio-bubble, with Eleanor Oldroyd presenting the programme from inside the England Cricket bubble at Old Trafford. Steve Elworthy from the ECB was responsible for planning the return of international cricket in England and he tells us what kept him up at night, his belief that a World Cup could be held under the current conditions and how cricket in 2021 could look.The NBA players Union Wellness counsellor - Keyon Dooling - has spent time in basketball’s Florida bubble. He tells us what that was like, how his players are coping psychologically with life in the bubble and the support his union and the league are offering them.The NFL season returned this week and we hear from Kansas City Chiefs fan – Brooke Fishel – who was at Arrowhead Stadium on opening night. We’re joined by Rob Ryan, who is a former assistant head coach of the Buffalo Bills, to look ahead to the rest of the season.Ahead of the big Premier League kick-off we speak to IBF Featherweight world champion and huge Lee

With the new NFL season set to restart how different will the landscape look? With Coronavirus and protests we will see an NFL season like no other. We speak to Stephania Bell who is the ESPN's injury analyst and has covered the Leagues’ plans to return to play extensively. We also hear from former American Footballer and BBC pundit Jason Bell on player protests.'Some people are afraid of what they don't know' - Balochi sisters Halima and Sarah tell Caroline Barker about their culture and how playing basketball has helped break down barriers.The Women’s Super League returns on Saturday with Aston Villa taking on Manchester City. We hear from Canadian international and Manchester City player Janine Beckie on their plans for the new season.Plus New Zealand cricketer Jess Kerr on how she hopes to inspire people to look at the positives in life after she became successful cricketer despite suffering injuries, having diabetes and Bells Palsy.Photo :Chelsea players and staff celebrate with the Barclays FA Women’s S

This week on Sportshour with Caroline Barker, we take an in-depth look at the situation in American sport after players in the NBA, WNBA, MLS and MLB refused to play this week following the shooting of Jacob Blake.Two time NBA Champion Shannon Brown joins us to discuss the events of the last week and what needs to change. His brother – Sterling – plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. They were the first NBA team to say they wouldn’t play and he tells us about speaking to his brother in the bubble. We’re also joined by former Bucks player DeAndre Liggins and former WNBA player Tamara Moore. She gives us her reaction to the shirts worn by the Washington Mystics players that had bullet holes painted on the back . Professor Louis Moore tells us athlete boycotts do work and that he’s now expecting players in the NFL to make their voices heard if the season goes ahead.We look ahead to the start of the Tour de France with Team Cofidis rider Nathan Haas and Jean Luc-Perez, who won the Race Across France. Haas tells us a sta