Sportshour

After Australia’s citizens voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in a national poll that will trigger a parliamentary debate, we assess how sport in the country may have influenced the vote. We're in the USA as researchers confirm the detection of the dementia-like disease CTE or "boxers brain" for the first time in a living person, a break through that could change the lives of the former NFL players suffering from the degenerative condition that’s been linked to repeated blows to the head. We also visit the French Space agency in Toulouse to see how the transformation Astronauts bodies go through while in Space could have wider positive implications for the world of sport.And as the Women’s Rugby League World Cup gets underway we're in camp with the Cook Islands, a team gathered from across seas and social media to get the small island to their first World Cup for twelve years.(Image: A rainbow 50 metre line during the 2017 AFL Pride Game. Credit: Getty Images)

May El Khalil was running on the side of road, when she was knocked over and crushed by a truck. The accident caused her to slip into a coma. Once she woke, she lay in a hospital bed for two years and she devised a plan. She wanted to start a marathon in Beirut, Lebanon. The Middle Eastern country had never hosted an event like it due political and social unrest but May, despite the protests, was determined to get her idea over the line. After having 36 surgeries to make her walk again, she travelled the length of the country to promote the event. Since 2003, the event has been used to promote peace in a very unstable country. Rugby's Ironman Fiji is one of the most physical rugby union teams in the whole world. But there will be one Italian who will be looking forward to lining up against the Fijians. Ian Mckinley could earn his first international cap, if he comes off the bench for the Azzurri. No professional wants to start as a substitute but for Ian it is an opportunity of a life time. Ian was blinded in

‘I didn’t realise I was shot, it felt like I was hit by a hammer’ On October 1st, Nick Robone and friends headed to a music festival in downtown Las Vegas. Halfway through headliner Jason Aldean’s set a crackle of gunfire can be heard over the music. Nick was one of the 500 people injured by the gunman; the bullet had just avoided his heart and punctured his lung. As blood filled his mouth, his brother Anthony and friend Billy carried Nick to safety. As they waited behind a parked car, Anthony gave medical treatment to Nick and others injured by the gunman. Nick, who is an ice hockey coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas says the hockey community has helped his recovery. The Wallaby Great and his Paralympic Padawan Australia, a country associated with successful sports teams and athletes. In order to maintain sporting success throughout different generations, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame has introduced a mentoring scheme, where Australia sportstar of the past mentor stars of the future. Paralymp

The Lords of East Africa Newsland in Cape Town, New Road in Worcester, the Queenstown Event centre in New Zealand, three of the prettiest grounds to watch or play cricket but there is a new stadium that could usurp their crown. The Kicukiro Oval in Kigali, maybe one of the newest grounds in world cricket but it’s already one of the grounds with spectacular scenery in sport. History will be made this weekend, when it will host the first competitive game. Rwanda will be taking on an All Star XI including the likes of Michael Vaughan, Brain Lara, Herschelle Gibbs and Sam Billings. Eric Dusingizimana will be leading out Rwanda and he thinks his team will give the All-stars a run for their money. Eric explains in detail how cricket has helped his country heal and move on from the genocide in the 1990's. While Sam says he’s nervous ahead of his knock on the new wicket. Rock bottom but on the up: the WWE and film star who saved a World Cup dreamConvicted for assault, multiple knee injuries and sleeping in his car ou

‘Coming of age for women in sport’ ‘We’re not scared to rock the boat anymore’ and ‘we need more women in the corridors of power’, those are some of the comments from Ruth O’Reilly. Ruth was part of the Irish Rugby team at this summer’s World Cup. She criticised the Irish Rugby Football Union on the final day about a lack of planning, commitment and communication during their World Cup preparations. This week, saw the IRFU downgrade the Women’s Head coach role from a full-time one to a part-time, 6 month casual contract. It was one of many stories that saw female athletes speak out about the actions of governing bodies. Ruth thinks women will be encouraged to speak out more about their grievances.Don’t isolate female refs, introduce more Finland v Norway was a record breaking rugby game. It didn’t break a record for the amount of tries scored or the number of sin bins given. The game created history because it saw Alhambra Nievas become the first female referee to take charge of a competitive men’s internatio

Vegas StrongIt’s been two weeks since a gunman killed 58 people in Las Vegas. The city is still trying to recover from the tragedy. One source of inspiration is the city’s first professional sport team, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. The ice hockey team came into existence this year and, on Tuesday, they hosted their first ever home match, where they honoured the emergency services. The team have yet to lose this season. Steve Carp covers the team for the Las Vegas Review-Journal; his friend was shot and injured during the attack. Steve talks about how the team has helped heal a community. Club President Kerry Bulboz also talks about the effort made by the club to help heal a community. A tale of two Ironwomen On Saturday, Elizabeth McTernan and Linda Ashmore will be competing in the toughest event on the planet, the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. For Elizabeth, the race on Saturday will be her first ever Ironman World Championships. She is paralysed from the waist down and will be the only female disa

A week on from Catalonia's vote for independence Caroline Barker is joined by Radio Catalunya's Ernest Macia and Spanish football commentator Eduardo Alvarez to look at what Catalan independence could mean for sport in the region and FC Barcelona, one of the world's biggest football clubs.(Photo: Catalan flag. Credit: Getty Images)

President Donald Trump suggested during a rally speech in Alabama, athletes who fail to stand during the national anthem should be fired or suspended.Over the weekend, following this announcement, many players, coaches and owners in the NFL went out of their way to kneel and silently protest.We hear from LeBron James and other notable sport stars of America, poet Kwame Alexander and author Professor Louis Moore.(Photo: Dallas Cowboys link arms and kneel before the start of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals Credit: Getty Images)

We investigate the effects of concussion in sport. What if anything needs to be done to improve the safety of the sport stars we cheer on every week. How do you help athletes who want to play on regardless of the risks, and what responsibility for player's health do we have as fans? We are joined by neurologist Dr Margaret Goodman. For many years she was a ringside physician in the home of boxing Las Vegas. She also served on the Nevada State Athletic Commission and chairs VADA, The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Shawne "lights Out" Merriman a former NFL star whose nickname comes from his propensity to knock other players out on the field. We'll also hear from former Rugby League player Rob Parker whose sporting injuries led to a painkiller addiction and Professor Tony Belli who is part of the team what introduced touchline concussion screening in rugby earlier this month.Photo: Amir Khan stays down after a knockout from Canelo Alvarez (Credit: Getty Images)

Ahead of the new NFL season we profile Colin Kaepernick. He stirred controversy last year for sitting or kneeling during the anthem, in protest against the treatment of black Americans. The quarterback remains without a team as the new season approaches. Supporters claim he remains unemployed because he was prepared to speak out about inequality in wider American society.We are joined by Dr. Harry Edwards, who organised the "Olympic Project for Human Rights" in the 1960's. It prompted Tommie Smith and John Carlos to produce one of the most iconic moments in sport history - the 'Black Power' salute as the American national anthem played out in Mexico in 1968 after they won Olympic gold and silver.For the past 7 years Dr. Edwards has worked at the San Francisco 49ers, the only team Colin Kaepenick has played for. We also hear from Marlene and Beverley Owens, daughter of legendary athlete Jessie Owens. Craig Hodges, who after winning the NBA Championship in 1992 with the Chicago Bulls, never played in the NBA ag

When we heard that Adam Rolston and his caddie Ron Rutland were planning on raising money for the Laureus Sport for Good charity by playing the longest hole in golf history, one that literally spanned the length of Mongolia, we had to find out more! Well 82 days and about 20,000 shots later, the pair are just a lofted wedge and a putt away from completing their adventure. We’re on the final stretch with the pair as they exit the Gobi and enter the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.Retirement Goals: Robbie Simpson might still be playing a professional football, but he’s got more than one eye on what comes next, and how he can help other athletes facing the same career crossroads. He has started Life After Professional Sport (LAPS) an organisation that brings businesses together with athletes who are close to, or have completed their sporting careers. Things are changing, when Robbie walked into the dressing room at his first professional club, Coventry City, 10 years ago he was the only one with a university degr

The Homeless World Cup in Oslo came to an end this week, how striking that it should be played out against the backdrop of a record breaking transfer window. We hear from Sophie and David who both found themselves in need of help in their lives and are now on the road to recovery through football, proudly representing Wales! Social went last week.When you win the World Cup... but have to go back to work There was an unexpected side effect to the recent victory of the New Zealand women's rugby team at the World Cup in Ireland. The city of Auckland lost its ability to send one of its detectives under cover. Why? Well when you've just captained the rugby mad nation to another World Cup win there aren't that many people, or criminals, who don't know who you are! By day Fiao'o Fa'amausili is a detective in the Auckland police force, at night she spearheads the finest team in women's rugby.From Old Trafford to New Beginnings Fast cars, flashy jewellery, expensive clothing, sure… but being environmentally friendly

England takes on New Zealand in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup on Saturday. It's an event players and fans alike are hotly anticipating, but for Jean Kim it's too painful to watch. When Jean says the sport of rugby saved her life, she means it, which makes it all the more difficult for her now she’s banned from playing.How to swim the English Channel four times, non stop Chloe McCardel is attempting to do something no one has ever done, or even tried! She will swim across the English Channel to France....And then back again and then back again and then back again... Without stopping! The Australian swimmer explains that previously, when completing her triple crossing, she suffered from fatigue induced hallucinations. Mayweather v McGregor: Fine fighting fayre or farce? We preview the 'big fight' by profiling both fighters and ask why so many people are interested in a sporting event many feel a farce. We look at the way the fight has been marketed and whether it has been done so without considerati

Ahead of the new NFL season we profile Colin Kaepernick. He stirred controversy last year for sitting or kneeling during the anthem, in protest against the treatment of black Americans. The quarterback remains without a team as the new season approaches. Supporters claim he remains unemployed because he was prepared to speak out about inequality in wider American society. We are joined by Dr. Harry Edwards, who organised the "Olympic Project for Human Rights" in the 1960's. It prompted Tommie Smith and John Carlos to produce one of the most iconic moments in sport history - the 'Black Power' salute as the American national anthem played out in Mexico in 1968 after they won Olympic gold and silver. For the past 7 years Dr. Edwards has worked at the San Francisco 49ers, the only team Colin Kaepenick has played for. We also hear from Marlene and Beverley Owens, daughter of legendary athlete Jessie Owens. Craig Hodges, who after winning the NBA Championship in 1992 with the Chicago Bulls, never played in the NBA

We preview the 'big fight' by profiling both fighters and ask why so many people are interested in a sporting event many feel a farce. We also look at the way the fight has been marketed and whether it has been done so without consideration of the consequences. Caroline Barker is joined by our boxing reporter Ade Adedoyin boxing writer Gabe Oppenheim, and we hear from Jeff Mayweather uncle of Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Katherine Redmond Brown founder of "The National Coalition Against Violent Athletes.

The First Ostracised Athlete The events in Charlottesville and the remarks made by President Trump this week, has seen an increase in US athletes speaking out against racism. One of the first high profile athletes to speak out about racism in the US, was two time NBA champion Craig Hodges. The former Chicago Bulls basketball player wrote a 14 page letter to President HW Bush expressing his displeasure at the inequality in society, but it was to his detriment, he would never play professional basketball in the US again with no contract offers. Playing on, after a brain bleed Head injuries are the number one medical concern in rugby. Players have to pass strict medical tests, if they're to return to the pitch. But imagine returning to the field, after suffering a bleed on the brain. That is what Abu Dhabi Saracen Stephen Hamilton will be doing in the coming weeks. Hamilton, who plays centre and is also the director of rugby, missed the whole of last season due to the injury. Despite his family's concerns, Ste

Footballs forgotten fans Football matches can be quite a daunting experience, especially fans suffering from social anxiety. Sonia Peacock’s son Kyle is autistic and she says clubs need to make fans with social anxiety feel more welcome. Kyle stopped attending Everton matches, after he was attacked by away fans, a couple of years ago. He only returned to Goodison Park this summer and Sonia says Kyle’s positive experience was down to fellow Everton fan Danny. A post from social media about the meeting went viral on social media. Sonia says Premier League clubs need to increase help for fans suffering from social anxiety. The Rise of Fan TV Football fans always have an opinion on their club. Who should play in a certain position and what signings they should have bought in the transfer window. In recent seasons, some fans have turned their opinion into their profession by creating Fan TV channels on social media. The biggest and the most watched is Arsenal Fan TV. Robbie Lyle the channels founder, says it’s

Bolt's best friend Nugent Walker or NJ, as he’s known has been Usain Bolt’s best friend since primary school and manager since 2010. Despite being a ‘monster on the track’, NJ says Bolt is a bit of a dominos geek off it. What stands out from the interview is NJ is extremely proud watching his friend dominate the track. We could hear Usain in the background whilst we were talking to Nugent. He wasn’t able to talk; I think he has a race this week. Bolt changed my life Robyn Williams caught a pair of Bolt’s running spikes at the 2016 Anniversary Games. She says having the spikes inspired her to continue her athletics training. George Hoy was a games changer at the 2012 Olympics and managed to walk away with Bolt’s hat, after carrying his kit in the 200 metre heats. The Londoner says the conversation helped him apply and complete his university studies and gain confidence. Finally, a video of Dionne Hansey celebrating Bolt’s victory in the 200 metres went viral around the world. She says Bolt has been an importa

Will there be a Premexit? The Premier League is one of the most powerful leagues in the world. English clubs always challenge for major European titles and sign the world’s best players for record transfer fees. But are the glory days of the Premier League coming to end because of Brexit? Dr Babatunde Buraimo, from Liverpool University, says there are several factors that could help keep the Premier League an attractive destination. Four Four Feng Shui London based Queens Park Ranger are trying out a new tactic ahead of the upcoming season. They have hired a Feng Shui expert to help improve the clubs fortunes. Feng Shui expert Jan Cisek has told Sportshour that he wouldn’t be surprised to see QPR near to the top of table due to Feng Shui. But he also believes the club should force the players to do Feng Shui in their homes. The unexpected battle for a world record Back at the start of the year, Sean Conway set himself a challenge to cross Europe on a bicycle in the shortest amount of time. The record stood

Mani Djazmi is joined by two time Paralympic sprint champion Martina Caironi and Lex Gillette, who is a four time Paralympic silver medalist in the long jump. The panel discuss performances at this years Para Athletic Championships and there are exclusive interviews with Paralympic Champions Jonnie Peacock and David Behre. Five years on from the London Paralympic games, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and journalist Mik Scarlet discuss whether the games have helped improve the lives of disabled people living in the United Kingdom. Plus, we'll hear how Paralympic gold medalist Heinrich Popow who took the dancing world by storm.