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The Lost Olympians

Written by: Lesley Cairns-Falk, Patrick Cairns, Matt Fabbri
Narrated by: Patrick Cairns, Lesley Cairns-Falk
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  • Summary

  • Introduction by Executive Producer Jessica Biel

    In 1971, 12-year-old Lesley Cairns was a South African swimming phenom with big Olympic dreams. But because she was classified as “coloured” by the apartheid regime, you won’t find her swimming scores in the record books. Or anywhere. She crossed a line she didn’t know existed—one that led to a harrowing visit from the secret police. In this four-part series, Lesley and her brother, Patrick Cairns, dive into a family secret that reveals the role that sport played in their country’s liberation movement.
    ©2022 ATTN: Inc. (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC
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Africa Sports Water Sports
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Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Jul 27 2023

    In 1971, 12-year-old Lesley Cairns was a South African swimming phenom with big Olympic dreams. But because she was classified as “coloured” by the apartheid regime, you won’t find her swimming scores in the record books. Or anywhere. She crossed a line she didn’t know existed - one that led to a harrowing visit from the secret police. In this four-part series, Lesley and her brother, Patrick Cairns, dive into a family secret that reveals the role that sport played in their country’s liberation movement.
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    1 min
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  • Part One: Sink or Swim

    Part One: Sink or Swim
    Jul 27 2023

    Lesley and her brother, Patrick, revisit the swimming event that landed her in the crosshairs of the South African security police - the law enforcement branch that brutally cracked down on opponents of apartheid.
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    30 mins
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  • Part Two: No Normal Sport

    Part Two: No Normal Sport
    Jul 27 2023

    Lesley and Patrick set out to understand the forces at play in 1970’s South Africa under apartheid and the lines that Lesley didn’t even know she’d crossed. They examine the role that boycotts played - not only in Lesley’s swimming career, but in the liberation movement.
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    34 mins
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About the Creator and Host - Patrick Cairns

About the Creator and Host

Patrick Cairns: "Lemme tell you a story..." will undoubtably be one of the first things Patrick Cairns says when you meet him. That story might be about growing up in the shadow of Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa, where he spent his first 14 years restricted as a "coloured" citizen under the laws of apartheid. After his parents found a way for his family to emigrate to Winnipeg, Canada, Patrick began competing in track and field at national levels. As a graphic and visual artist, he co-founded Sports Masters, a digital magazine with a mission to create a community of peace, cooperation, camaraderie, inspiration and sport for mature individuals—master athletes, aged 35+—across the globe. In 2010, he partnered with Matt Fabbri to form 1310 Productions and tell his sister’s story of oppression in sport and swimming in apartheid-era South Africa. Teaming up with ATTN: and Jessica Biel’s Iron Ocean, Cairns and Fabbri brought The Lost Olympians to Audible. He and his wife Rhonda have raised six kids and four grandsons and live and work in Winnipeg, which sits on Treaty One land, in the heart of Canada.
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About the Writer - Matt Fabbri

About the Writer

While many of his childhood friends were playing outdoors, Matt Fabbri was under a tree with his nose in a book, engrossed in the greatest of stories, and creating his own. Matt's short plays have been performed at churches across North America and his full-length play, Twelve, an adaptation of 12 Angry Men, premiered at the Winnipeg International Fringe Festival in 2019. He has written and directed short films and was a writer on the limited television series Smoketown. Matt also teaches global issues, literature, and film to the next generation of young storytellers. He, his wife Christy—the director for The Lost Olympians—and their three children, live and work in Winnipeg, which sits on Treaty One land, in the heart of Canada.
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What listeners say about The Lost Olympians

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Profile Image for Jessica Isaak

Such an important story

We need to hear this now more than ever. Great story telling, excellent narration and so much to think about. Thank you for this!

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Profile Image for Gman

Was definitely worth the listen

I intently listened to these heart wrenching stories. I loved the flow and its amazing the things I learned. It really gives me a new, and honest perspective of life in South Africa. I was also sad to see a whole family leaving behind their beloved country for a better life elsewhere. I would recommend this podcast be listened to by everyone! Thanks for Sharing Pat!

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Profile Image for Lori Alcorn

A story that needs to be heard

I could not stop listening, I was hooked and powered through all the episodes in just a few hours. This story kept breaking my heart over and over, but it's a story that needs to be heard because 50 years later there are still ripple effects that impact a whole culture of people today.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

WOW

Everyone needs to listen to this podcast. EVERYONE! Fingers crossed this group tells another story, the storytelling is perfection.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Incredible

Finally the stories that NEED to be shared are being shared with confidence and grace

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Profile Image for Christy Fabbri

Wow!

Such a powerful story that has opened my eyes so much to what this family, and so many others, have gone though. So well done.

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Profile Image for Marnie H.

Great Story

This story of Leslie, her journey.along with that of Patrick and their whole family ; was an eye opener for anyone who was not aware of what was happening in South Africa at the time. The story and ending was heart touching. Thank you for sharing this.

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