When people come to StoryCorps, they tend to talk about the things that give their life meaning. In this season, as the world turns its eyes to the Olympic Summer Games in Paris, we’ll hear from people who found their sense of purpose in sports. These are people who changed the games they played, or had their lives changed by a game—athletes, yes, but also fans, families, people who work in and around a sport; people who fought for themselves and others, honored the people they love through competition, won and lost with grace, and some who were just happy to be in the game.
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Game Changers
As we kick off the Olympic season, our brand new StoryCorps Podcast delivers a sports-themed lineup. Start with the inspiring story of Rusty Kanokogi, whose relentless fight in 1988 flipped the script on women’s judo, earning her the title “the mother of women’s judo.” Tune into our season premiere to hear Eve Aronoff Trivella and Rusty’s daughter, Jean, share memories of this trailblazing champion.
The Family That Plays Together
Every athlete’s looking for that extra edge — and for a lot of them, it’s their family. Who drove them to practice? Who told them to never give up? In this episode, player’s loved ones step into the spotlight.
Sideliners
Athletes get all the glory, but there are countless people around them making the games happen– from referees making judgments, to vendors in the stands hawking snacks and beer. In this episode, we’re talking to people on the sidelines.
For the Fans
Being a sports fan means putting a part of your happiness in the hands of strangers. When they lose, you die a little. But when they win, it’s incredible. This week, stories about the triumph and tragedy of being a fan.
The Long Run
Gwen and Yasir weren’t the type of couple that liked to run marathons, at first. As hardships pulled their lives in unexpected directions, running became their best— and sometimes only— way of remembering what really mattered.