Keep the Flame Alive

It's been nearly two months since Paris 2024, but athletes who have spent years training for the Games are still processing what happened there. Today we're talking with Canadian race walker Evan Dunfee about his Paris 2024 experience. Paris was Evan's third Olympics and marked a radical shift in his race schedule--for the first time his marquee event--the 50K walk--was off the program, and he'd be racing the 20K as well as the race walk mixed relay, a new event for the Olympics. We've talked with Evan before about the change in race distances, but how did it turn out? Evan joins us again to break down his 5th place finish in the 20K, which, if you loved our Paris 2024 Toilet Talk segments, this also has something for you. But in all seriousness, Evan's experience is a story of adaptation, perseverance and dealing with a situation you can't control. Be sure to follow Evan on Insta and X! In Paris 2024 news, the Olympic Rings are no longer on the Eiffel Tower, but will they make a comeback? Jessica Long responds to the bullying situation at the Paralympics. The Organizing Committee has started recycling items from the Athletes' Village--you might be able to score some sweet Paris 2024 deck chairs at Restlos online auctions. We also have news from Milan-Cortina, which includes updates on the sliding track and budget; the Winter Games 2030, and the International Olympic Committee. In our visit to TKFLASTAN, we have updates from: Curler John Shuster Track cyclist Mandy Marquardt Weightlifter Hampton Morris Shooter Kim Rhode Author Andrew Maraniss -- get his latest book through our Bookshop.org site and support the show! Our Paris 2024 mascot Waldo   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Note: Where possible, we use affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn a commission. *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

People choose to uproot their lives and move to the US for many reasons, and on this episode we hear one immigrant's story. Elvin Kibet came to America for opportunity--and that opportunity inspired her to give back to her new home by serving her country in the US Army and its World Class Athlete Program unit. Elvin shared her story in author Joanna Garten's book "All in Stride: A Journey in Running Courage and the Search for the American Dream" and talked with us about her journey from a rural village in Kenya where she ran about 5K every day to get to school, to life in the United States as a new mother and Olympic hopeful. Follow Elvin on Instagram and Facebook! Also on today's episode we have news about the International Testing Agency's doping program at Paris, and word about the Paris 2024 bronze medals already falling apart. We're now less than 500 days from Milan-Cortina 2026, and that organization is looking for volunteers! See the qualifications and apply here. Our TKFLASTANIs continue to be busy after Paris 2024. We've got updates from: Samantha Bosco Dennis Connors Kenny Bednarek Paul Kamphuis Kikkan Randall Jayson Terdiman   We’re nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award! Winners are selected by popular vote, so we need your help! Vote by October 1 to help us win Best Sports Podcast!   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on items purchased through those links. *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348          

It's an epic show today because we have epic listeners! We dissect Paris 2024 with you and discuss: what it was like to watch at home more details of trips to the Games  how Paris rates compared to other Games training with a future Paralympian trying visually impaired sports tattoos how well Texan Olympians did Plus, Jill shares a story from her past that's spurred behavior that's almost too embarrassing to discuss on the podcast. And, seven people have declared their candidacies to take over TBach's position as IOC President next spring. We've got the details.   We're nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award in the Best Sports Podcast category, but we need your help to get the title! Vote here until October 1.   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!     *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

Although we're home from Paris, we still have a lot of Paris 2024 content to share with you! Here's some mixed zone tape from the last couple days of competition. Jill talked with several athletes after their final competitions, so we have: Para powerlifter Bobby Body, who just missed out on the podium Sitting volleyball players Lora Webster and Kaleo Kanahele after winning the gold medal Wheelchair fencer Ellen Geddes after finishing up the team epee competition   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

It's the last day of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, but there's still plenty of competition before the Closing Ceremonies. Jill heads to para powerlifting to see TKFLASTANI Bobby Body lift, while Alison sees a major showdown at Bercy Arena for the end of the women's wheelchair basketball tournament. Unfortunately, scheduling issues prevented our heroes from getting the required stickers to see the Closing Ceremonies (which, given their reaction to the other three ceremonies, may not have been a bad thing), but they celebrated the end of the Games at the Paris Media Centre for one last time. Sports on today's program: Para Athletics Para Canoe Para Powerlifting Wheelchair Basketball   Don't forget - the only way that we're able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us -- and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you'll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.  Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348      

 It's the penultimate day of the Paris 2024 Paralympics! Jill heads to the Grand Palais one final time to see TKFLASTANI Ellen Geddes compete in the women's team epee competition and lose a little more of her hearing thanks to the French fans. Plus, there's one more game of monster blocking in sitting volleyball, and it's a doozy. Meanwhile, Alison gets in another para athletics session, sees TKFLASTANI Louise Sugden in Para Powerlifting, and heads to Bercy Arena for the men's wheelchair basketball gold medal match. Sports on today's program: Blind Football Para Athletics Para Canoe Para Cycling Road Para Equestrian Para Judo Para Powerlifting Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Fencing Wheelchair Tennis   Don't forget - the only way that we're able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us -- and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you'll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348      

More great competition from the Paris 2024 Paralympics today, as Jill had an adventure (and some sore obliques) learning how to play sitting volleyball. She made the trip out to Versailles to catch some of the para equestrian team competition, then headed to para swimming and miraculously didn't get lost in the venue. Meanwhile, Alison went to the Stade de France for para athletics and then got waylaid at Team USA House getting Team TKFLASTAN interviews (and cookies). Sports on today's program: Para Athletics Para Canoe Para Cycling Road Para Equestrian Para Judo Para Powerlifting Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Fencing Wheelchair Tennis   Don't forget - the only way that we're able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us -- and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you'll get exclusive content!   Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery.   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

It’s been a rainy Day 8 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, but that did not dampen our spirits, even if it soaked our socks. Jill spent the day at the Eiffel Tower/Champs de Mars stadium complex, in part to see TKFLASTANI Liana Mutia compete in para judo, but also to catch some more blind football. Meanwhile, Alison had a team sports day with wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. Sports on today’s program: Blind Football Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Cycling Road Para Judo Para Powerlifting Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Fencing Wheelchair Tennis Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

Day 7 of the Paris 2024 Paralympics was pretty magical for your two favorite Paralympics podcasters. Alison spent the day at the hallowed ground of Roland Garros for wheelchair tennis and got clay in more places than she thought was possible. Jill saw a TKFLASTANI destroy a world record at the Stade de France, then ended her day with medal rounds of wheelchair fencing foil, with the Paralympic legend Bebe Vio. Sports on today's program: Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Cycling Road Para Powerlifting Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Fencing Wheelchair Tennis   Don't forget - the only way that we're able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us -- and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you'll get exclusive content! For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

Can you spend an entire day in Paris Arena Sud at the Paris 2024 Paralympics? Alison lives to tell the tale of one location, three sports: boccia, goalball and para table tennis. Jill gets a taste of blind football before dashing over to the Team USA House to interview TKFLASTANIs and then head to watch Brian Bell and the US Men’s wheelchair basketball team try to advance to the bracket stage. Sports on today’s program: Blind Football Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Equestrian Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Fencing Wheelchair Tennis   Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

Day 5 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics brings some highs and lows–and Alison got stuck on the low end of the spectrum. We also learned about Nike’s efforts to develop more inclusive clothing and footwear, and Jill had a splash and dash to and from the splash and dash. Nike has an initiative to develop athletes’ careers post-competitive career, as well as hire more people with disabilities. To that end, they have an initiative called Game On, which is a 12-month program for employment seekers that will help Nike make more improvements in their products for disabled people. Learn more about it here. Sports on today’s program: Blind Football Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Badminton Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Para Triathlon Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Rugby Wheelchair Tennis Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

Team Keep the Flame Alive collects more gold today, as Matt Stutzman competes in Para Archery. Alison's got all of the details of his amazingly close matches, plus an encounter that made her day better than wheelchair rugby can. Plus, she has a sensory experience that was like any other. Meanwhile, Jill saw most of TKFLASTANI Brian Bell and Team USA's men's wheelchair basketball team. Then she headed to Team USA's High Performance Center for a Wheelchair Fencing lesson with Paralympian Byron Branch before ending the day at Roland Garros with Wheelchair Tennis. Sports on today's program: Blind Football Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Track Cycling Para Rowing Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Rugby Wheelchair Tennis   Don't forget - the only way that we're able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us -- and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you'll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    \

Another day in Paris, another load of World and Paralympic Records going down! Jill went to Wheelchair Rugby…and let’s just say there may be a podcast fight over who covers the final. Meanwhile, Alison braved the chill of the Grand Palais to see TKFLASTAN bring home a medal in Para Taekwondo. Plus, an email from a TKFLASTANI upended evening plans for all the right reasons. Sports on today’s program are: Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Badminton Para Cycling – Track Para Rowing Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Para Taekwondo Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Rugby Wheelchair Tennis Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

The fantastic sporting action at the Paris 2024 Paralympics continues on, but the lovely weather doesn’t. Jill managed a lot of venue issues, including rain at Invalides during the para archery competition. Alison got to the velodrome for a toasty day of para cycling track. Sports on today’s agenda: Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Athletics Para Badminton Para Cycling Track Para Rowing Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Para Taekwondo Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Rugby Wheelchair Tennis Plus, we have mixed zone interviews with para track cyclist Samantha Bosco, para archer Matt Stutzman and sitting volleyball player Lora Webster. Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

It’s the first full day of competition from Paris 2024, as the Paralympics get off to a great start. Jill went to para track cycling to see TKFLASTANI Samantha Bosco, and Alison had the best day of her life at wheelchair rugby. In the evening, Alison headed over to para swimming for Olivia Chambers’ first final, while Jill wandered around Paris Arena Sud and eventually watched TKFLASTANI Melissa Tapper play para table tennis and Alison Levine play boccia. The sports on today’s program are: Boccia Goalball Para Archery Para Badminton Para Cycling Track Para Swimming Para Table Tennis Para Taekwondo Shooting Para Sport Sitting Volleyball Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Rugby   Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Paralympics is Elizabeth Emery. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

The Paris 2024 Paralympics are officially open! We attended the Opening Ceremonies...and we have opinions on the show, which in a first-ever moment for the Paralympics, took the Opening Ceremonies out of the stadium and put it in the heart of the city (in a temporary stadium, but let's not get too in the weeds with that detail).   The ceremony covered a lot of ground over a long span of time, and the athletes marched down the Champs-Élysées into the stadium to great fanfare, which was a lot of fun to see. The torch arrived, had a long moment on stage, and then torchbearers got it to the Tuileries to turn on the hot air balloon that took back its rightful place in the Parisian night sky.   We each had a cultural adventure today--Jill saw part of the torch relay, while Alison went to Team USA's High Performance Center. We report back on those trips. Also, mixed zone tape with Marcel Hug and Matt Stutzman from Jill's trip to the Paralympic Village round out the episode.   Don't forget - the only way that we're able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us -- and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you'll get exclusive content!   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348          

It’s one day to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympics! We are back in Paris, which means we have more (mis)adventures to share with you. We’re in a new hotel, we have a new Main Press Center, and we’ve been to some interesting events. Alison saw a sneak preview of the Opening Ceremonies and has a full report. Meanwhile, Jill checked off another Olympic swimming pool with a visit to the Georges Vallerey Piscine, swimming venue for the Paris 1924 Olympics.   What’s a Games without anyone to cheer for? We have a whole roster of Team Keep the Flame Alive members (past guests of the show), who compete for TKFLASTAN (our own country). We’ll tell you who’s on the roster and what sport/event they’re competing in. Want to listen to their episodes? Here’s a list: Alison Levine – Boccia Calahan Young – Goalball Matt Stutzman – Para Archery Jaydin Blackwell, Noelle Malkamaki, Justin Phongsavanh and Daniel Romanchuk – Para Athletics Samantha Bosco and Dennis Connor – Para Cycling Liana Mutia – Para Judo Bobby Body and Louise Sugden – Para Powerlifting Olivia Chambers, McKenzie Coan, Jessica Long and Jamal Hill – Para Swimming Ian Seidenfeld and Melissa Tapper – Para Table Tennis Evan Medell – Para Taekwondo Grace Norman – Para Triathlon Marco de la Rosa and McKenna Geer – Shooting Para Sport Kaleo Kanahele Maclay and Lora Webster – Sitting Volleyball Brian Bell – Wheelchair Basketball Ellen Geddes – Wheelchair Fencing Chuck Aoki – Wheelchair Rugby David Wagner – Wheelchair Tennis Be sure to look out for them and cheer them on! Throughout the Paralympics, our patrons will get exclusive content–all paid patrons will receive a special photo of the day that isn’t shared anywhere else. Patrons at the $5 and up level will get exclusive video content. Join our growing list of patrons today at our Patreon site! Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

We're just a few days away from the start of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympics, and we have one more member of Team TKFLASTAN to introduce to you! Daniel Romanchuk is a two-time Paralympic medalist in wheelchair racing, both on the track and on the road. Racing since he was four years old, Daniel came onto the Paralympic stage at Rio 2016, where he competed in the Men's T54 class in the 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 5000m. At Tokyo 2020, he won the gold medal in the men's 400 meters T54 event and the bronze medal in the men's marathon T54 event, and placed 4th in the 5000m and 5th in the 1500m. We spoke with Daniel before the Team USA Para Track and Field Trials about the technical aspects of wheelchair racing, as well as being part of Team Xfinity. He made Team USA for a third time, and at Paris  he'll be competing in the 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5k and marathon at the Paralympics. We're excited to watch Daniel compete at Paris 2024 and hope you'll follow along with our daily podcasts! For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

The flame is out and we say au revoir to the Paris 2024 Olympics. First, there were still some competitions to wrap up: Jill made the journey out to Versailles to see the women’s modern pentathlon finals, and Alison saw TKFLASTANI Ben Hallock and Team USA go for the bronze at water polo. Plus, the Marathon Pour Tous looked like a great time for some, but perhaps not for others. And we look at the unusually unjoyful Closing Ceremonies that Paris 2024 gave us. Sports on today’s program: Athletics Basketball Handball Modern Pentathlon Track Cycling Volleyball Water Polo Weightlifting Wrestling Have you enjoyed our exclusive Paris 2024 vacuum coverage? Become a Keep the Flame Alive Official Vacuumer! Get your uniform at our TeePublic site today! Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content!   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Our researcher for the Olympics is Annalee Deabel. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348    

It's the penultimate day of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, but we're still going strong with incredible competitions. Jill went to weightlifting and discovered way more than you see on TV. Then she headed to the final night of artistic swimming to cheer on TKFLASTAN in their duet competitions. Alison made it to the men's breaking competition--what does she think of Paris 2024's new sport? Sports on today's program: Artistic Swimming Athletics Basketball Beach Volleyball Boxing Breaking Canoe Sprint Diving Football Golf Handball Modern Pentathlon Rhythmic Gymnastics Sport Climbing Table Tennis Taekwondo Track Cycling Volleyball Water Polo Weightlifting Wrestling   Have you enjoyed our exclusive Paris 2024 vacuum coverage? Become a Keep the Flame Alive Official Vacuumer! Get your uniform at our TeePublic site today!   Don’t forget – the only way that we’re able to bring you this unique look at the Games is thanks to donations from listeners like you. Please support us financially so that we can continue to keep our flame alive. We have many ways to support us — and if you sign up as a paid Patreon member, you’ll get exclusive content! Our researcher for the Olympics is Annalee Deabel.   For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.   Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive!   *** Keep the Flame Alive: The Olympics and Paralympics Fan Podcast with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown. New episodes released every week and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. Also look for our monthly Games History Moment episodes in your feed.   Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod   Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348