Australian ultra-marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel joins us after she swam the English Channel for the thirty second time this week. She’s aiming to break the men’s record for channel crossings, which currently stands at thirty four and received an exemption from the Australian government to travel to the UK amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Former Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers player DeAndre Liggins joins us to discuss the return of the NBA and his decision to join the London Lions. Liggins praises his friend LeBron James for speaking up on social issues and says playing in the Florida bubble makes this “the hardest championship to win”. Liggins adds that his aim now is to put British Basketball on the map.
Jamaican 1500 meters runner Aisha Praught-Leer tells us she hopes to inspire the next generation of middle-distance runners on the Island so the they can become known for more than sprinting. Praught-Leer also tells us she will be pushing to help change the International Olympic Committee’s Rule 50 – which effectively bans athletes protesting at an Olympic Games – in time for the rearranged Tokyo games. She says: “The idea of not protesting goes against the Olympic Charter”.
Olympic bronze medallist Katharine Merry joins us to reflect on the fact she should have been at the Tokyo Olympics now. Merry was due to be working as a commentator over the public address system in the stadium before the games were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Staying with athletics – and this week’s Sporting Witness – heads back to the Moscow 1980 and the Battle of the Brits. Sebastian Coe recalls his epic battle with the country’s other middle-distance star, Steve Ovett, which captivated a global audience.
And with live sport continuing - we look ahead to the FA Cup Final by hearing from Arsenal and Chelsea fans across the globe. We also check in on the latest action at the World Snooker Championship.
Photo: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the LA Clippers during the first quarter of the game at The Arena in Florida (Credit:Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)