Sportshour

Roger Taylor was the British tennis number one who fell out with his contemporaries while coming tantalisingly close to winning Wimbledon. He found himself engulfed in controversy through his defiance of the 1973 Wimbledon boycott, which almost tore his world apart. He tells us about his near Wimbledon misses and how he was a leading contender to replace Sean Connery as James Bond. Fifty years ago Arthur Ashe pulled off an amazing feat, upsetting the odds and becoming the first black man to win the Wimbledon Men's final when he beat fellow American Jimmy Connors - but it was not something he wanted to define his life. His fight to break down barriers around racial discrimination was closer to his heart - and apartheid South Africa became one of his battle grounds. Though his agent Donald Dell and tennis writer Richard Evans we tell the story of Ashe’s controversial visit to South Africa in 1973 and how a tennis academy in his name now thrives in Soweto. We meet Rufus the hawk who serves as Wimbledon's "chief pigeon deterrent," flying around the grounds each morning to scare away pigeons and other birds, ensuring they don't interfere with play or disrupt the spectators. He's been patrolling the skies at Wimbledon for 15 years. And new balls please ! 60,000 are used during the Championships each year. They are replaced every seven to nine games during matches to maintain optimal playing conditions. But are they really stored in a fridge? The head of balls Andy Chevalier reveals all. Plus the story of how a Wimbledon first round tie between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in 2010 became the longest tennis match in history, stretching over three days.

Our guest this week prove 'W' stands for winners. We hear from Sir Bradley Wiggins, Lori Walton, Jim and Jeff Whitley and Sir Clyde Walcott. As the Tour de France begins we hear from Sir Bradley Wiggins, one of THE stars of the 2012 Olympics. Just a couple of weeks after becoming the first British rider to win the Tour de France, the home favourite won gold on the streets of London to claim his 5th Olympic title and 8th medal in total. Wiggins was a poster boy for cycling, with his popularity transcending the sport. The hip icon of Cool Britannia was knighted in 2013 as Great Britain basked in the glow of a successful London games. So news of his struggles since retirement came as a shock. As if it reminded us that he was after all human. Battles with the bottle caused him to lose his bearings, his business and his wife. What a relief then when Joel Hammer met him to see a fit, healthy and once again Lycra clad Wiggins. WALCOTT: Exactly 75 years ago Sir Clyde Walcott and his teammates won a Test Match on English soil for the very first time. It cemented the West Indies as a force in international cricket and sparked wild celebrations among the newly arrived West Indian immigrant community. Sir Clyde Walcott scored a century in the game WHITELY: footballers Jim and Jeff Whitley both played in the Premier League for Manchester City. The Zambian born brothers played in midfield and whilst their football careers were interesting, it's what they did off the field that sets them apart. Jeff battled addiction to drinks and drugs that drove his career off the rails. He now works tirelessly helping other professionals to avoid the same mistakes as him. Older brother Jim path has been very different. When his playing days ended, he started a new career as a star of stage and screen WALTON: Bill Walton won two NBA titles before becoming one of the most recognisable faces on American television. To say he was a character is an understatement! He was cult hero. He also lent his voice a new World Service podcast. Sadly, Bill died before he could finish narrating the series. To mark the first anniversary of his death Joel Hammer has speaking to his wife Lori from their "hippy home" in Hawaii about how she marked a year since Bill's passing and why for Lori and the Walton family the podcast has become something very important. (PHOTO: Sir Bradley Wiggins in action on his way to setting a new UCI One Hour Record at Lee Valley Velopark Velodrome June 7, 2015 in London, England. CREDIT: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Gold a most precious metal, a treasure and the ultimate medal to win. Silver a shimmering standard of success, just a slither short of the top prize. Bronze, the copper coloured conclusion confirms great effort. Finally nothing. Nada.Nowhere... This week our guests have experienced the emotions of all of the above. Climber Janja Garnbret is one of the best examples of how easy becoming Olympic champion can look. In both Tokyo and Paris she seemingly effortlessly ascended her way to gold. They sit alongside her EIGHT World Championships. At 26 she's still young enough to continue to dominate for some time. From her home Slovenia, where she is a mega star, she joined Katie Smith to talk about just how much effort goes into making the very difficult look like a walk in the park, what it felt like to become a two time Olympic champion and body image. Some say silver is "first looser" and there's no doubt a bitter sweet feel to coming second, even if you are considered one of Africa's greatest Olympic sprinter. Sadly for him there no better person to speak about what it feel like to land a silver, he won FOUR Olympic silvers. We hear from for Namibia's Frankie Fredricks on how it felt to never make it to gold. We meet the Bronze who is a born winner. This bronze is about to set off to defend her gold medal winning performance of four years ago, because this Bronze is England footballer Lucy Bronze. She's part of the England squad looking to defend their Women's Euro title in Switzerland. So if we can't talk to Lucy about what it's like to finish with a bronze (and yes, we know she won bronze in 2015 at the World Cup) we might as well ask her about the secret to her success, and it turns out that is a small dog called Nala! It seems more than a bit unfair to have our final guest, our guess that fits the theme because it's the "no medal at all" section of the show. Not least because Justin Phongsavanh won Paralympic bronze in the javelin in Tokyo... But with a chance to compete in front of his home crowd at the Games of LA in 2028 his dream appears to have been ripped away from him. Justin has been explaining what has happened and how he's coping. he also tells us about one night in 2015 when his life changed forever. (PHOTO: Janja Garnbret of Slovenia competes during the women's lead climbing qualification of the Climbing World Cup 2023 in Innsbruck, Austria. CREDIT: Marco Kost/Getty Images)

Not by the Playbook comes from The Queen’s Club in London where Katie Smith is unboxing her pack of cards. British para standing tennis player Nicky Maxwell has always had a sporting ace up his sleeve, including now as President of the International Para Standing Tennis Association, but his life in sport hasn’t been without its challenges. The former Harvard University sprinter shares what life was like as a para athlete in the US collegiate system and his Paralympic ambitions for para standing tennis. The US queen of Mexico’s rodeo, Paola Pimienta tells us all about the Mexican tradition of charrería and its all-female synchronised team equestrian competition, escaramuza. It’s a traditional sport which can be adrenaline-fuelled, so what’s it like to take part and how has it helped Pimienta connect with her Mexican heritage? After former England cricketer David “Syd” Lawrence was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year, it led to a race against time to tell his story in an autobiography. It’s a life which has seen Syd become the first English-born black cricketer to represent his country in 1988, before injury brought an end to his international career at age 28. He’s now been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Cricket journalist Dean Wilson helped Syd put the book together and he talks about the process and Syd’s life both on and off the cricket pitch. Every pack of cards needs a Jack so hear the story behind Jack Nicklaus’ record sixth Masters win, plus there’s a spade on hand for trip to the farm which supplies strawberries to Wimbledon. Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Get in touch with us via email and use the hashtag #NBTP on social media. Image: Magician Jeff Thomas, Manager of Hollywood Magic on Hollywood Boulevard does some magic with deck of playing cards, November 12, 2001 in Hollywood section of Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

Sir Roger Bannister is most famous for being the first man to ever run a sub 4 minute mile. He once said "The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win". This week, guests who have displayed the drive needed to overcome the most serious challenges life can throw at you. The word "drive" can have many different meanings. From maneuvering a car, to pushing a cause and making positive change... Carol Glenn does all three! A Motorsport fanatic, she has successfully done many roles within the sport. She's been a race marshall, secretary of the meeting, championship co-ordinator and a clerk of the course. All roles dedicated to ensuring event runs smoothly and safely. To hold those positions is rare for a woman in a male dominated sport... even rarer as a woman of colour! In fact she was the first black woman to become a licensed race official in the UK. Her latest endeavour might just be her boldest yet as she sets about changing the face of the sport to ensure those who want to take part, regardless of colour or background, are given an opportunity. She's set up the Next Racing Generation Academy and so unsurprisingly is a very busy woman. We meet a father and son duo completely driven to be the best in the business! The business of boxing promotion. Not since Don King has a promoter achieved the same level of fame as their boxers. And you can add Barry and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Promotions to that list. How have their go to such a place? Well by being driven of course. The majority of boxers only fight a few times each year. It's not only extremely physically demanding, but mentally challenging too. But Londoner Johnny Greaves arrived late to the professional ring just before his 30th birthday ... he had one goal ... one hundred professional fights. So driven was he, that he achieved this rare feet by the time he was 34. Averaging a bout every other week, for four years straight. And what makes his journey even more unusual is that Johnny lost ninety-six of those fights, but as you'll hear for him - his record of wins and losses is nothing compared to challenges he overcame just to step in to the ring. Johnny's is a remarkable story, he's detailed it all in a new book, Bright Lights and Dark Corners Photo: Carol Glenn with Sir Lewis Hamilton (Credit: Carol Glenn)

Basketball pioneer Paoline Ekambi's changed the perceptions of women's basketball in the 1980's when she played in the USA. She introduced a style of play off and on the court that broke new ground. In turn she also aided the path for French stars likes Tony Parker and Victor Wembanyama to make it in the NBA. In fact Paoline knows Victor very well indeed! But sporting success and the glory it brings can often mask the pain of an athletes life away from the track, field or court. After her career ended Paoline has worked tirelessly as an advocate for those who have survived child sexual abuse. WARNING: Paoline's story is deeply upsetting, a story of the most awful betrayal of trust and how sport was her route to what she calls "freedom" We're not too far away from the first anniversary of the Paris Olympic's. In what was a return to normality for the Games following the sterile and spectator free games in Tokyo three years before. The crowds were so enthusiastic, none more so than in the coastal city of Marseilles where the sailing took place. Australian sailor Matt Wearn won gold at the last two Games in the "Lazer class", that's a single handed sail dingy, not much bigger than a bath! So what was it like to compare and contrast a gold medal winning experience at the two Olympics so drastically different from each other? When the French sports TV channel L’Equipe - the broadcast arm of the famous French newspaper bought the rights to the world darts championship - little did they think 18 million viewers would dip in and out of the game. It’s now one of the most popular sports on the channel and the number of players and clubs in France is on the rise. Chris Bockman reports from France Ahead of the French Open tennis finals at Rolland Garros we hear from 1989 winner Chinese-American player Micheal Chang. He became the youngest male winner of any tennis Grand Slam, and it all happened just days after the Tiananmen Square massacre. Michael Chang was gripped by TV coverage of the killings and dedicated his only major win to the people of China. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this show, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of emotional help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. Head to befrienders.org. They will listen to anyone who feels they have nowhere else to turn. All contact is anonymous if you prefer. Photo: Paoline Ekambi on the front cover of L'Equipe in the 1980's (Credit L'Equipe)

Not by the Playbook’s Mani Djazmi speaks to the World’s Strongest Man after South Africa’s Rayno Nel became the first champion from outside of Europe or North America. Nel is a former rugby player who has a day job as an engineer, so what does it take to become the world’s strongest man and how has his life changed? Mauritius isn’t known for producing world class cyclists, but Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar is certainly going a long way to change that view. The three-time Mauritius national road race champion won the prestigious Liège-Bastogne-Liège, just 18 months after emailing World Tour teams to give her a chance. Pienaar speaks ahead of competing at the Tour of Britain for the first time in 10 years when things looked very different for the Mauritian. Boxing pundit Steve Bunce has been ringside for many of the world’s greatest fights and he shares what makes a champion from what he’s seen and from the many champions he’s spoken to. Plus, he looks back on some of his most memorable boxing memories. This week’s Not by the Playbook is all about champions and Hayley McAuley explains what becoming the first ever flatpack world champion involved and what it means, so if you need any DIY tips you’re in luck. Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Get in touch with us via email and use the hashtag #NBTP on social media. Image: Rayno Nel of South Africa lifts a 154kg (340 lbs) circus barbell for two reps, during the Overhead Medley event on the first day of qualifying at the "World's Strongest Man" competition on May 15, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images)

Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith is scouring the world’s surface for extraordinary stories – from the depths of the ocean to an extreme triathlon to the top of the world. Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini speaks from the Philippines where she has set her 40th world record, so what is it like descending down to depths of over 100 metres below the surface without oxygen? Alessia continues to dive in memory of her partner, Stephen Keenan who was killed diving in 2017. Their story is the subject of the Netflix film The Deepest Breath. Mitch Hutchcraft reflects on his gruelling seven month triathlon – from England to the top of Everest. To get there he swam, cycled, ran and trekked for over 13,000 kilometres across 20 different countries, taking 240 days to complete. Strong currents, near fatal accidents and stray dogs were just some of the challenges he encountered, but why did he do it? Runner Mirna Valerio swapped the classroom as a Spanish teacher for the rough and rugged terrain of the outdoors and the rough world of scrutiny on social media. Mirna opens up about the trolling she faces online, the community she’s created and the message she wants to share about how we view ourselves and others on and beneath the surface. This week is all about surfaces on Not by the Playbook and if there is anyone who knows all about different surfaces then it's tennis players. 2016 Olympic women's singles champion Monica Puig reveals all about what it’s like having to adapt to the clay, grass and hard courts of the tennis tour. Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Get in touch with us via email and use the hashtag #NBTP on social media. Image: Alessia Zecchini starting the descent of a freedive in the ocean. (Photo by Kurt Wang)

Basketball, the Cold War, and rock band The Grateful Dead collide in this incredible true story. Presented by the late NBA star Bill Walton. Episodes weekly from 19 May. What do basketball, rock music, and tie-dye t-shirts have in common? And what about Mickey Hart, Sarunas Marciulionis, Arvydas Sabonis, and the US Dream Team? Well, they are all subject of the brand new season of Amazing Sport Stories: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team. It’s Moscow, 1989, and Lithuanian basketball star Sarunas Marciulionis is walking nervously through the airport. If all goes to plan, a new life awaits playing basketball for the NBA in the US. But first, he must cross the Iron Curtain. Sarunas doesn’t yet know the incredible journey he is about to go on. One which will involve political upheaval, the Olympic games, the US rock band The Grateful Dead - and, of course, tie-dye. The late NBA star and sports commentator Bill Walton presents this extraordinary true story. Bill passed away in 2024, not long after recording the series, and his family have given permission for its release following his death. Amazing Sport Stories brings you the greatest twists and personal journeys from sport history. Listen for inspiring tales of courage, drama, myths and legends from all over the globe. All told in mini seasons and one-off documentary episodes. #AmazingSportStories

On FA Cup finals weekend, Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith looks at the “magic of the cup”. Joe Parkinson goes back 30 years to when he won the 1995 FA Cup with Everton. He reveals why he faced a challenge to get a Manchester United player’s shirt, and he shares his memories of Goodison Park ahead of the final men’s game to be played there. Cup engraver Colin Mabey takes us behind-the-scenes of the intricate detail required to get sports trophies ready for the winners - and how it led to him being part of a film directed by Madonna. There’s cups of a different variety too. Canadian rower Jenny Casson opens up about her self-reflection since competing at the 2024 Olympic Games, but how an exciting new venture has given her a lift. She’s a co-founder of Daylilie who create bras for “athletic silhouettes”. Completing a stacked show is Kit Fox who shares how his father helped popularise sport stacking around the world. How did the craze of stacking cups become a global sport with its own world championship? Plus, find out about the secrets of keeping the FA Cup trophy safe and hear more about the Vatican’s mini football World Cup. Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Get in touch with us via email and use the hashtag #NBTP on social media. Image: A detailed view as the FA Cup Trophy is displayed on a plinth prior to the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The ancient game of chess is one steeped in tradition, with a history dating back centuries. The classical form of chess is still prominent on the global stage, but streaming and online platforms have seen the game now increasingly being played online – so much so that it’s set to make its debut at the Esports World Cup later this year. Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith finds out more about the stories behind this historic board game – from a world record holder to the designer of one of the world’s most valuable and lavish chess sets. Nigeria's Tunde Onakoya shares his story from learning to play in a barber shop to setting the world record for the longest chess match last month. He played against Shawn Martinez for 64 hours in New York’s Times Square and he’s wanting to help children in Africa with a similar story to his. Jules Gambit was a junior chess champion in her youth but found that she was struggling to make friends, so made the switch to ballet. She’s now back involved in chess and is now a rising star in the streaming community. What brought her back to chess and is streaming the future of the sport? Anthony Mathurin is no stranger to strategic games as a chess coach and a contestant on The Traitors, but is he staying faithful to the classical form of chess? Also meet the designer of one of the most valuable and lavish chess sets in the world. The Pearl Royale is estimated to cost $4 million – but what’s the story behind the design? Australian jewellery artist Colin Burn reveals all. Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Get in touch with us via email and use the hashtag #NBTP on social media. Image: The Pearl Royale chess set which is made of diamonds, blue sapphires and South Sea pearls. (Credit: Aaron McPolin / Colin Burn)

In 1991 the Chancellor family welcomed their new daughter into the world. they named her Emily. A bright and active girl she grew up watching Rugby union, but it wasn't a sport easily accessible to women. The game however has grown and it's set to get bigger with the Women's World Cup coming to the UK in September. And there's a good chance Emily will be there representing Australia. Chance. It's what you need in sport, in life in general! Chance. It's right there in her name Emily CHANCEllor... and so she has adopted a mantra, a tag line that she lives by... "Life of Chance" “What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” I mean if it's good enough for Romeo and Juliet, it's got to be ok for Not by the Playbook, right!?This week we are meeting three extraordinary women for whom their names mean something much more than just something they call themselves. In 1991 the Chancellor family welcomed their new daughter into the world. they named her Emily. A bright and active girl she grew up watching Rugby union, but it wasn't a sport easily accessible to women. The game however has grown and it's set to get bigger with the Women's World Cup coming to the UK in September. And there's a good chance Emily will be there representing Australia. Chance. It's what you need in sport, in life in general! Chance. It's right there in her name Emily CHANCEllor... and so she has adopted a mantra, a tag line that she lives by. "Life of Chance" I you say something flopped, you're saying it didn't work. That it failed but in the 1960s, American athlete Dick Fosbury invented the 'Fosbury flop'. It was as far from a failure as you could possibly imagine in fact it revolutionised the discipline of high jumping. Instead of diving or scissor-kicking over the high-jump bar, Fosbury floated, or flopped, across on his back. He went on to win a gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Dick Fosbury died just over a year ago, but in 2011 he spoke to Alan Johnston about his iconic moment Names often have more than one meaning - apparently Henry means "home ruler", Amir means "to live long, to thrive" and Amy means "beloved". Our guest is called Mix, and it's a name she has chosen herself. It not only represents who she is but the name is the perfect reflection of the life she has lead. We have rarely had guests who have excelled at sport but pivoted in a totally different direction – but for archer Mix Haxholm Mix did, going from competing at the Olympics to lining up for "Miss World!” Atoya Burleson created the “Ladies Playbook” and takes us behind the scenes to a part of sport we never see, the lives of the wives of the NFL. It can be a very challenging life being uprooted and resettled, having to make a new home in a new city which can be lonely. The Ladies Playbook helps smooth that bumpy road. For so many, including Atyoa it starts with a love story, in her case one between her and Nate Burleson, who would spend 11 years in the NFL and is now a big TV star in the US, but their story began many years before when they were both at college PHOTO: Emily Chancellor of the Waratahs receives the Super Rugby Women's Final trophy during the Super Rugby Women's Final match between NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval on April 12, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (CREDIT: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

This week’s Not by the Playbook is “crossing the line”. Aneta Grabmuller is both a winter and summer triathlete. She first started competing at the age of 15, but within a few years she had retired having fallen out of love with the sport. She had been subjected to behaviour from her coach that had crossed the line. She had been convinced that her weight was a problem and started to train harder and eat less. The strain on her body had caused bones to break whilst mentally she was depressed and anxious. Stepping away from the sport she dedicated herself to addressing this issue, one that many female athletes are affected by. She studied, became an IOC Young Leader and a certified safeguarding officer. She found a new way of training and rediscovered her love of the sport. Now aged 25, she is back and better than ever, and when not racing she continues to advocate of REDs (relative energy deficiency in sport). In 1992, the British 400m runner Derek Redmond popped his hamstring in the Olympic semi-final. In absolute agony he got up and started to hobble to the finish line - determined to complete his race. Halfway round, his dad, Jim, ran on to the track to help his son home. It's an Olympic story that's inspired millions of people around the world. As it’s London Marathon weekend, we focus on a great story about crossing the line at the inaugural London Marathon which took place in 1981. Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen who, having battled stride for stride for all 26.2 miles, crossed the line together... hand in hand. In doing so, the pair famously were declared "joint winners" of the London Marathon. And we’re with two people as they get ready to compete in their very first ever marathons. One a multiple Paralympic champion and the other someone very close to Katie’s heart! So how have they found the training and having never completed the distance before, what are they worries about ahead of race day. We finish with the ultimate finishing line story. It's in Finland, that's right, it's a Finnish finishing line! Only a few weeks ago two skiers crossed the line and recreated one of the most legendary moments in Winter Olympic history. Exactly 45 years after it happened at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, the two competitors, one a Swede beat his Finnish rival by just one-hundredth of a second, a tiny margin in any event, but the two had been neck and neck for every inch of that 15km cross-country race. In Scandinavia that race is lauded like no other, so it was big news when it was announced they would meet for a rematch all these years on.e years on. (Photo: Sweden’s Thomas Wassberg and Finland’s Juha Mieto cross the finish line together. CREDIT: Matti Huutoniemi)

This week we are focusing on football fashion and those using jerseys and kits to create clothing that looks fabulous on the field and fantastic on the fashion runways. Everything you want to know about how you elevate your team’s outfit. Christian Jeffery used to design football shirts for Adidas football but has since turned his very talented hand to a more artistic take on team jerseys. He talks us through his process of taking standard football shirts and making them bespoke pieces of fashion that have led to exhibitions of his work and fans from the very top of the footballing world. His designs are striking and intricate and speak to a deeper relationship between the club and the communities they represent. Former PSV Eindhoven midfielder Funso Ojo can still be seen doing his thing on the pitch each week in the English lower leagues, but as his career comes towards an end, he is eyeing up a new career. Inspired by his wife Julie, the two have set up a clothing company "Rose Ojo" that breathes new life into people’s old football shirts. Julie, who has a background in fashion, and Fuso, who is learning how to sew, have now got a thriving business upcycling clothes and making football fashion fabulous. It's all about getting your kit off with Robbie Manson. The New Zealand Olympic rower was combining competing in Paris with making a living tastefully taking his kit off. He made headlines when his “Only Fans” page became popular. The site which allows people to subscribe for personal adult content has made Robbie more money than his professional athletic career ever has. He discussed the moral and practical elements of being an athlete and an adult content creator. PHOTO: Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min standing alongside Christian Jeffery whilst holding one of Christian’s Tottenham kit designs. (Credit: Tottenham Hotspur)

We’re heading to the river as the University Boat Race makes its way down the Thames. Not by the Playbook’s Katie Smith chats to people who had the courage, bravery and fortitude to stay afloat when others would have floundered. Lauren Rowles is just 26 years old but is already a three-time Paralympic champion, starting in Rio through Tokyo and to Paris. A history maker who has had to overcome countless injuries and battled anxiety. She is a vocal member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a mum, first and foremost. She tells us how one morning, aged 13, she woke up unable to move. She had contracted the rare neurological condition Transverse myelitis. Overnight her life had changed but with the help of sport she has thrived and talks us through the challenges and success, including many a trip to the Palace. Rory Gibbs was part of nine men in a boat who won gold in the Olympic rowing regatta in Paris in August. It was a sharp contrast to the pain of failure he felt in Tokyo where he finished fourth and just outside the medals. He tells us what it took to comeback and climb to the top step of the podium. Since then, Rory has laid down his oar and picked up his pen. He gives us an exclusive reading of his new children's book, a fantastical set of stories all laced with lessons about how best to live your life. And what exactly does it take to win the University Boat Race? Sophie Shapter knows, she was the cox of the winning Cambridge boat in 2018 she talks us through the training, tidal waves and the trophy lift. Photo: (Left to right) Rat and Mole enjoy a picnic lunch as Badger, who dislikes socializing, watches in this scene from Dayton's holiday "Wind in the Willows" display in the eighth floor auditorium.(CREDIT: JOEY MCLEISTER/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

A new era for sports broadcasting starts with a grand opening. What better way to announce our transformation from Sportshour to Not by the Playbook than with some of the grandest people you'll ever meet! We have an exclusive interview with Grand Slam tennis legend Bjorn Borg. He's been revealing how happy he is that for some people in Scandinavia they don't know him for winning Wimbledon five years in a row, but instead as the man who makes underwear. We celebrate the most famous horse race in the world, the Grand National. From hedges to ditches, it is a challenge of mind and body. But what exactly is it like to face this terrifying race? We visit the stables of former jockey Geraldine Rees who, in 1982, became the first woman to complete the course, riding a horse called “Cheers”. (PHOTO: Bjorn Borg of Sweden holds the trophy aloft after defeating Jimmy Connors during the Men's Singles Final match at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on 8 July 1978 CREDIT: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Plus, is there any other grand better than a grandmother?! We hear from ‘IronGran’ herself Edwina “Eddie” Brocklesby who at the age of 81 is still taking part in Ironman competitions, and just a reminder that means a 4km swim, a 180km bike ride, followed by a full marathon run.

Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Katie Smith introduces Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges. The first episode arrives Saturday 5 April.

This week it’s all about those who turned their hand to something else! We hear from one time motor racing star Billy Monger on his latest success. Last year he became the fastest double amputee to win the infamous Hawaii Ironman, knocking a whole two hours off the old record! Montell Douglas is the only British woman to have competed at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. On both occasions in Beijing! She compares and contrasts those experiences Sweden’s Lennart Johansson is probably best remembered as the father of the Champions League. The then UEFA President he came up with the format which has been so successful. Sulo Karlsson is a Swedish rock legend and lead singer of the band Diamond Dogs. It was he who turned his hand to writing in order to co author Lennart’s autobiography. It started a close friendship which ended with Sulo performing one of Lennart’s favourite songs at his funeral! PHOTO: Billy Monger of Great Britain celebrates after finishing the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship on October 26, 2024 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

When Alistair Brownlee turned the corner and saw the finishing line, he was shocked to see the figure of a fellow competitor staggering in pain. Then he realised it was his brother Jonny. So what would you do? Keep going, grab the glory and the $30,000 prize money or stop and help and ruin both your chances of winning?! We relive an iconic moment of sportsmanship and find out why some competitors were less than happy with Alistair Brownlee’s actions… Plus we chat retirement with Alistair now a few months into his, and Jonny reaching the age when it is a consideration for him too! If ever a sporting organisation valued competing ahead of winning, it's the Olympics. The modern-day Games have been around since 1896, two years after the formation of the International Olympic Committee, or the IOC as it's known. As the Olympics grew, so did the role and power of the IOC and especially its president. Well on Thursday, a new president was elected but what challenges lie ahead for Kirsty Coventry? There's few better to assess the situation than David Stubley author of "Game Changers and Rainmakers" which documents the evolution of sport as a business, and the people that made it happen. The first Kabaddi World Cup to be held outside Asia has been taking place this week with players from across the world heading to England for the tournament. It's being staged in the city of Wolverhampton in the English Midlands. Both men’s and women’s games are being broadcast internationally, with teams from Poland, Hungary, Hong Kong and of course India among them. Sportshour's Nina Robinson has been to meet the England women’s team, many of whom are local to Wolverhampton, and find out why the city has established such a strong Kabbadi connection… PHOTO: Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain helps his brother Jonathan Brownlee (c) of Great Britain to cross the finished line as Jonathan collapsed of dehydration 200 meters before the finish line during the Men Elite ITU World Championship race in Cozumel, Mexico. (CREDIT: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

Pawel Durakiewicz was on the verge of death through a deep addiction to alcohol, but now he's overcoming challenges of a different kind whilst helping others along the way. He tells Sportshour’s Shabnam Younus-Jewell about his story of addiction, recovery and transformation though sport and how his latest challenge saw him set another world record – this time running barefoot on snow and ice. Basketball player Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel refused to let rejection from her high school team, or the fact she was born with one arm, end her dream of playing the sport she loves. She has gone onto make history, becoming the first NCAA Division III women’s basketball player with one arm to score in a collegiate game. She explains the feeling of scoring and how she was determined to prove people wrong. Football can take coaches all around the world as they look to pursue their dreams. That’s the case for Shadab Iftikhar who has coached in England, Mongolia, Samoa, Scotland, Pakistan and now Bhutan. He shares what it’s like travelling and coaching in different countries and why he’s excited by his latest role. The first Kabaddi World Cup to be held outside Asia is being staged in England. Sportshour finds out more about the growth of the sport and the significance of the tournament with World Kabaddi President Ashok Das. *This programme contains discussions around alcohol abuse and suicide. If you’ve been affected by anything discussed or need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide, via their website befrienders.org.* Image: Paweł Durakiewicz looks at his phone whilst socks are being put on him after he ran a half marathon barefoot on ice and snow. (Credit: Paweł Durakiewicz/Diamond Soul Foundation)