Paralympic para powerlifter Louise Sugden returns to talk about her experiences at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where she finished 5th in the 79kg weight class. However, she also opted to change weight classes this time around. We discuss that decision, the process of what it takes to successfully move down, and whether it was the best choice for this competition.

Follow Louise on Instagram, Threads, TikTok and Twitter!

Also on this episode, we discuss the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) recently announced 10-year-ban on Russian Tatyana Tomashova, who was discovered to have doped during London 2012 in the women's 1500m, which is widely considered to be the dirtiest race in history (even worse than the one we discussed in book club!).

Speaking of doping, the International Testing Agency released its final report on its pre-Paris initiative. This report details how many athletes and potential Olympic qualifiers were tested ahead of the Games. How successful was the ITA's testing initiative?

Plus,we have more news from Paris 2024, Milan-Cortina 2026, and TKFLASTAN.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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We spent the past weekend in Atlanta at the annual Olympin Olympic collectors and pin traders show. We had a fun time catching up with other collectors, pin traders, TKFLASTANIs, and--best of all--meeting some listeners!

This was also Alison's first trip to Atlanta, so we had to do a little Olympic sightseeing. Nicholas from Olympic Rings and Other Things was kind enough to show us around!

We also have a ton of news from upcoming Games!

Milan-Cortina 2026 has released the pictograms and look of the Games, which they call the Vibes. Mascots Milo and Tina are also unveiling their (adorable) sport poses on social media every day this month.

Brisbane 2032 is in a bit of a bind, with several venue projects already over budget. The new Liberal National Party is reviewing the situation.

Also, the Association of National Olympic Committees cut a deal to help small NOCs outfit their athletes for Games through 2032.

In TKFLASTAN news, we have updates from:

• Track cyclist Mandy Marquardt
• Former high jumper Erin Shean--learn more about her new coaching program here
• Author Andrew Maraniss--he'll be leading a panel at Books by the Banks in Cincinnati

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist SSG Sagen Maddalena on this episode to talk with us about the shooting competitions and what the Olympics were like at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, a few hours away from Paris.

A former NCAA athlete, Sagen is a member of the US Army's Marksmanship Unit, where she's a shooter and instructor for the unit's International Team.

Paris 2024 fueled Sagen's drive for gold at LA 2028. Follow her journey to the next Summer Olympics on Instagram and learn more about the US Army Marksmanship Unit here.

In news from Milan-Cortina 2026, the latest version of the daily Olympics schedule is out. Find it here, and plan your trip and/or viewing now (note: it is subject to change, so maybe don't set your plans in stone).

In news from TKFLASTAN, we hear from:

• Wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk
• Curler John Shuster
• Wheelchair curler Steve Emt
• Fencer Kat Holmes

We'll be at Olympin this weekend! If you're in Atlanta, please stop by and say hello!

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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It's been a little over a month since the Paris 2024 Paralympics ended. How does that expereience resonate with our TKFLASTANIs once real life has settled back in? Wheelchair basketball gold medalist Brian Bell and para shot put gold medalist Noelle Malkamaki return to tell us how the Games were for them and what's next (or not) in their lives.

Follow Brian and Noelle on Insta!

We also have some news from other TKFLASTANIs, including:

• Sled hockey player Monica Quimby -- learn more about her post-Hurricane Milton GoFundMe here.
• Wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk
• Listener Lorry
• Rugby sevens player Perry Baker
• Swimmer John Naber
• Rower Kristi Wagner

If you haven't checked out Book Club Claire's Paris travelogues, do so now! You might see Alison in them!

Also, we will have a table at the Olympin show in Atlanta! The show takes place November 8-10 and is free to attend. Come by, say hello and check out all the cool Olympic memorabilia!

For a transcript of this episode and expanded show notes, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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Alpine skiing is one of the core sports on today's Winter Olympic program, but it wasn't even an event at the very first Winter Olympics at Chamonix in 1924. Instead, the only skiing that mattered was cross-country, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.

Was there drama? Of course! And it started in qualifications. We've got the full story here, including Mother Nature's revenge, an incorrect podium, and the man who created technology that would forever change the sport of skiing.

Alison's got the full details in this episode!

For a transcript of this episode and full source list, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

Keep the Flame Alive: Games History Moment with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2024, these episodes explore the first Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix, France in 1924. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

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Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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This past weekend, Jill and Producer Ben found herself in Salt Lake City for a few days, which gave her the opportunity to visit some of the Salt Lake City 2002 venues to see how the legacy of those Games continues on.

In this episode, hear what it's like at Utah Olympic Park, home of the 2002 ski jumping, Nordic combined and sliding competitions. Currently, the park is a training and competition site, with a learn to ski program for kids. It also has a number of additional activities, including summer and winter bobsled rides, guided tours, zip lines, and trails for mountain biking. The facility also houses the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum.

Hear whether the museums and tour are worth the price of admission, as well as what it's like at the Olympic & Paralympic Plaza.

And a side note, an NHL hockey team just came to town, making a winter sports town even more winter sports happy.

Also on this episode, Milan-Cortina 2026 has released its ticket prices, and the teams for the men's ice hockey tournament are set--pending a decision on whether the International Ice Hockey Federation will allow Russia to compete.

Plus we have news from TKFLASTANIs Grace Norman, Katie Moon, Monica Quimby, and Listener Dan.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

To get exclusive content about Jill's trip to Salt Lake City, become a patron today!

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!

***

Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.

Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support

Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod

Hang out with us online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod

Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod

Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod

Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348