Destination Tokyo – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Libby Clegg is a blind sprinter in the Paralympics GB team in Tokyo. Libby won double gold in Rio but since then has become a mum to Edward.

Libby reveals here here struggles over the last year after the Games got postponed last summer. She was at the peak of fitness last spring after appearing on Dancing on Ice. But has really found the last year hard - not being able to be with her training partners because of social distances and a lack of opportunity to compete.

Libby admits she is not where she'd like to be following an injury and her mental struggle. She wasn't selected for the Games, but got called up as a reserve. And she tells me how she really doubted her place in July and thought about pulling out. She turned to a doctor, sports psychologist and her partner Dan for help before deciding that she should take up the place. She's now happy and in a good place mentally.

That's it for the series. Many thanks for listening over the last 8 months and thanks to all you athletes for taking part.

Charlotte Moore ie a wheelchair basketball player for Paralympics GB. Tokyo will be her second Games after making her debut as a 17 year old in Rio.

She's been playing since she was 8 when she had a chance meeting whilst shopping with her mum at Sainsbury's when she was approached by the coach of a local wheelchair basketball team. She's never looked back from that chance meeting.

She's played lots of sport and even got to carry the Olympic Torch on the Torch Relay ahead of London 2012.

Charlotte talks about the extraordinary issues they've had as a squad during Covid which has limited severely the time they've been able to spend training together.

GB just missed out on a medal in Rio as they finished 4th. Charlotte's hoping it'll be at least one better this time!

Natalie Powell is in the Judo team for the Tokyo Olympics. This will be her second Games.

Natalie talks about what she learnt from competing at Rio five years ago. And one things she will definitely be doing for the Olympics is come off social media - and she tells me why.

Natalie has also increased her step count this year to prepare for all the walking that's needed at the Athletes Village.

Chelsie Giles says she has found her voice through judo. She's competing at her first Olympics in Tokyo

She started judo at 8 years old and has loved it ever since. She tells me why. And she talks about achieving her best ever results which have given her belief in herself.

Today we're in British Columbia in Canada with Tim Baillie, gold medal winner in the Canoe Slalom C2 in London 2012.

Canada has had some tough restrictions during Covid but life for Tim has become more relaxed in recent months with schools returning. It's a very outdoor life and even the nearby ski slopes have remained open.

Tim reflects on 2012 and the challenges of life after a gold medal. In many ways, it did not bring the opportunities some people suggested it would. But the medal moment is still a massive part of Tim's life. And then there's the story of Tim getting two gold postboxes for his London medal.

Thanks for listening today. I hope you're enjoying this series of podcasts. I'm raising money for Maggie's Cancer Centres - I'm not getting paid or taking any personal sponsorship. If you'd like to make a donation drop me a line at markshardlow@icloud.com or go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo

He left the UK just in time to enjoy the freedoms of New Zealand during the pandemic. Tim Brabants is a doctor, specialising in Accident and Emergency, and a record-breaking canoeist.

Tim was GB's first ever gold medal winner in any canoe discipline when he came first in Beijing in Canoe Sprint.

He's now coaching with the Olympic Squad in NZ and although life is fairly normal over there - pubs, restaurants, shops are all open with limited changes - there are downsides. Teams haven't been able to leave the country to travel to international events.

Tim takes a very pragmatic position. "It's just sport" and controlling the pandemic is far more important. And Tim knows what his hospital colleagues in the UK and NZ are going through.

Tim competed in four Olympic Games(sorry Tim, I forgot London!) and has two bronze medals as well as his gold.

Here's the link to my Just Giving page if you'd like to donate to the cancer charity, Maggie's.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo

Rob Woodhouse is steeped in the Olympics and Paralympics. he won a medal for Australia in the IM in the pool in Los Angeles in 1984. Since then, he's become an accomplished pundit for ABC Radio and RB as a regular at the Games. He's also represented some of Britain's great Olympians and Paralympians as their agent. Becky Adlington, Chris Hoy, Adam Peaty and Richard Whitehouse. And his niece and nephew are both Olympians too!

Rob spoke to me from Melbourne, Australia, to tell me about life with Covid on the other side of the world and its affect on elite sport. And life has gone on pretty much as normal!

Rob talks about his favourite Olympic moments and why he loves the Games. I really enjoyed our chat.

I'm raising money for Maggie's Cancer Centres - who do great work to anyone affected by cancer in the UK. If you enjoyed the podcast I'd love it if you'd donate the cost of a cup of coffee...

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo

She scored a hat-trick for England in midweek - Ellen White talks about playing international football again. Covid has meant no England games for a year - but Ellen has a big smile on her face this week. And a souvenir ball for her trophy cabinet.

Ellen speaks about the Olympic preparations - and what she's doing to earn selection.

Ellen also co presents the Track and Ball podcast with Paralympian Richard Whitehead and she talks about their latest guest - Team GB sprinter Adam Gemili....who talks about his early career playing football, mixing it with Usain Bolt, London 2012 and how he hit a low point in 2020 after the Tokyo Games were postponed.

You can see and hear the the Adam Gemili podcast here

https://pod.fo/e/b9aaa

https://youtu.be/x46I95whzug

And if. you want to support Destination Tokyo with a small donation to charity - here are the details

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo

She won swimming medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. But in Tokyo she'll be in a canoe and aiming for her first Paralympic gold medal.

Charlotte Henshaw has had a phenomenal time since switching sports. She talks us through the process and what she's learnt along the way.

Charlotte also talks about the qualification event for this summer.

You can find Charlotte at @chenshawgb

And if you'd like to make a small donation to my chosen charity you can find details here

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo

Dan Greaves has competed and won medals at 5 Paralympic Games - with his debut in Sydney in 2000.

The delay to the Tokyo Games has helped "Discus Dan" who has recovered from a career threatening injury he picked up in 2019.

Dan's coach is in Dubai and his coaching sessions are via an ipad. He's used to it. His previous coach was based in Arizona.

We also talk about Dan's role on the Athlete's Commission and his thoughts on the new 'super shoes' which have helped some very fast times in recent weeks.

Dan's now a dad of 2 but in great shape

Dan also presents That Greaves and Rooney Sports Podcast - and they've got some great guests. Check them out here

https://that-greaves-rooney-s.captivate.fm

@discusdan

I'm raising money for Maggie's Cancer Centres - and the details are here

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo

We recorded this podcast just as the Prime Minister announced the easing of lockdown in England. And for Shona McCallin that means many things, including a return to coaching her local hockey team in Maidenhead.

Shona talks about why she chose to coach whilst being on the GB squad and what she's learning.

We also talk about the run up to Tokyo and the need for acclimatisation.

If you'd like to leave me a small tip for producing these podcasts - all money I raise is going to Maggie's Cancer Centres. Here are the details and why I've chosen Maggie's.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo