OS Conversations: Olympic golden moments

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Documentary, Society & Culture

4.3 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 7 August 2021

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were always going to be different. They took place a year later than planned and were the first to be held during a pandemic, with fans banned. So as the Games come to an end, host James Reynolds hears the experiences of three gold medallists: Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus; triathlete Flora Duffy, who won Bermuda’s first ever gold medal; and Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim. He delighted the world when he shared that coveted top spot with Italian counterpart Gianmarco Tamberi.

Italy enjoyed an incredible few hours in Japan’s National Stadium and Viviana Masini reveals her son’s challenging childhood that ultimately put him on a path to become the fastest man on the planet. Lamont Marcell Jacobs was also the first Italian to claim the men’s 100 metres Olympic gold.

We also hear from residents in Tokyo. Two of them explain their change of heart about holding the Games in the capital. Meanwhile, the pandemic remains an emergency and two doctors in the city discuss the latest rise in Covid rates.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, I'm James Reynolds on the BBC World Service, and this is BBC OS Conversations Olympic Golden Moments.
0:08.0	As they come to an end, we talk to Tokyo residents about their change of heart over the games.
0:17.0	Two doctors on the current COVID situation in the capital.
0:20.0	Also, three medalists share what it's like to win Olympic gold, including the triathlete
0:27.0	Flora Duffy.
0:28.0	These medals reach much further than you think, and to see the reaction back home in Bermuda how proud and excited
0:35.6	everyone is that yeah it just really feels like everyone shared in this.
0:39.7	The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were always going to be different. A year later than planned, they were the first to take place during a pandemic and were spectators other than those taking part or working at the games, were banned.
0:56.6	Many people called for the games to be delayed further or even cancelled altogether, but they went ahead. Although some competitors had to miss out due to COVID.
1:05.9	Ultimately though, the athletes delivered for those of us watching and listening around the world.
1:10.8	Several records were broken. Speaking of record breakers, one question was this.
1:16.1	Who was going to replace Usain Bolt as the world's fastest man? Not many would have
1:21.5	immediately looked to Italy for the answer, but Lamont Marcel Jacobs became the first Italian to take gold in the men's 100 meters,
1:30.0	an astonishing achievement from a former national long jump champion.
1:34.8	For Italy, the first country outside China to experience a devastating first wave during the pandemic,
1:40.3	it was also some welcome good news.
1:43.0	We got these messages from two Italians,
1:45.0	a family friend of the New Olympic champion who trained with him during lockdown,
1:49.0	and firstly a medical professional taking a welcome break from treating COVID patients.
1:54.4	It's Dr. Sam here from the seaside in Italy and today it's my first day of holiday after two and a half years.
2:05.0	So let's say I'm pretty much very happy and relaxed right now.
2:10.0	When it comes to running the 100 meters, even reaching the final was so good news
	...

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