Listen now: Top interviews on daily Olympic Channel podcast from the Tokyo 2020 Games

Get the backstories behind the action from Tokyo, as it happens on Olympics.com in 2021. Here's how you can listen to all the best interviews every day.

11 minBy Ed Knowles
Olympic Channel Podcast image
(Olympic Channel)

Want to know how Simone Biles prepared for the Olympic gymnastics competition? Usain Bolt's thoughts on the sprint races at the Tokyo 2020? Or what drives breaststroke swim legend Adam Peaty for more gold and records?

Listening to the Olympic Channel podcast would give you all those answers, with the pod changing from weekly to daily during the Games in 2021. They're all available for free and right here on Olympics.com via our podcast page here, or via your favourite audio platforms. Don't forget to like and subscribe, to hear more reaction to the incredible performances in Japan in the weeks ahead.

Episode 17: Eliud Kipchoge and Megan Rapinoe

The USWNT came away with an Olympic bronze medal from the women's football at Tokyo 2020. Megan Rapinoe reflects on the ups and down of the tournament for USA. Plus, reigning men's marathon champion, Eliud Kipchoge, sent an inspiring message ahead of the big final race.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Sunday 8th August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 16: Mutaz Barshim on sharing high jump gold in Tokyo, and Chris Bosh on basketball final

High jumper Mutaz Barshim of Qatar takes us through his incredible Olympic moment where he shared the gold medal with Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi. Plus, Olympic gold medallist Chris Bosh reveals his Olympic experience ahead of the men's basketball final between France and USA.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Saturday 7th August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 15: Allyson Felix and Rita Mamun

Nine-time Olympic medallist Allyson Felix runs in the 400m final. But just making it to start line has been an ordeal for U.S. sprinter - she explains how she's coped. Plus, the Dina and Arina Averina are in action in the rhythmic gymnastics. Rio 2016 all-around gold medallist Margarita 'Rita' Mamun explains why these two are so special.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Friday 6th August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 14: Get energised with Grant Holloway / Ryan Crouser / Sakura Kokumai

No time for slacking! We have world record breaking Grant Holloway of USA give his motivations ahead of his 110m hurdles final. Plus, some inspirational words to get you fired up from Sakura Kokumai. And how many calories does an Olympic champion shot putter have to eat? Ryan Crouser has the answer in our latest podcast episode from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Thursday 5th August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 14: Lizzie Armanto / Sky Brown / Emma Coburn

Lizzie Armanto represents Finland in skateboarding. She is one of the best ever, and the only female skater to conquer Tony Hawk's infamous 360 loop. She speaks highly of fellow competitor Sky Brown (who we also hear from in the podcast!) as the women's park competition gets underway. Plus, Emma Coburn of the USA is in the 3,000m steeplechase final. She talks about what can be learnt from athletics in terms of gender parity.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Wednesday 4th August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 13: Alex Honnold's guide to Olympic sport climbing

The 'Free Solo' star and climbing legend Alex Honnold gives an in-depth rundown of what to expect from climbing as it appears at the Olympic Games for the first time at Tokyo 2020. The 'combined' event features lead, speed, and bouldering rounds. Who does the American think will medal at the debut of the sport.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Tuesday 3rd August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 12: Shaunae Miller-Uibo on sprinting and wrestler David Taylor

Shaunae Miller-Uibo's iconic dive / fall across the line helped make her an Olympic sprint champion at Rio 2016. She explains what happened, plus the reasons why she's switched now to the 200m. Also, the wrestling is underway - we hear from Team USA medal hope David Taylor on this latest Tokyo edition of the Olympic Channel Podcast.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Monday 2nd August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 11: Katherine Nye talks mental health and weightlifting and Trayvon Bromell discusses inspirations

USA weightlifter Katherine Nye is a world champion. But her successful 2019 coincided with a diagnosis with Bipolar II Disorder and mild ADHD. She speaks openly about her mental health journey ahead of the 76 kg competition. And 100m sprinter Trayvon Bromell is aiming to be the fastest man in the world. He reveals his inspirations - including a talk with the 'hip hop preacher' Eric Thomas.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Sunday 1st August 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 10: Mondo Duplantis on world records and Olympics targets

Mondo Duplantis represents Sweden and has pushed the boundaries of the pole vault event. He goes into the Olympics as the world record holder. Mondo joined the podcast to talk about nutrition, his baseball obsession, and his backyard training situation. Plus, the women's 400m hurdles promises to be one of the marquee events of the whole Games. We hear from the top two contenders: Dalilah Muhammad and Sydney McLaughlin.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Saturday 31st July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 9: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on stunning comeback as athletics starts / Dina Asher-Smith / Joshua Cheptegei

The track and field stars are aligned and ready for Tokyo 2020. We have exclusive chats with double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, world champion Dina Asher-Smith, and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei. The athletics starts today and we have a lot more coming up so subscribe and tell your friends.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Friday 30th July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 8 - Simone Biles and the women's all-around final preview

We hear from Simone Biles who spoke with stunning honesty at a news conference following her withdrawal from the team event. Since then, she announced that she isn't going defend her all-around title. Reporter and gymnastics expert Scott Bregman gives us his analysis and reaction from Tokyo. Plus, super heavyweight boxer Frazer Clarke of Great Britain talks about surviving a life-threatening attack in 2016.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Thursday 29th July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 7 - Coach Mike Brown, boxer Lauren Price, and surfer Owen Wright

Nigeria men's basketball coach Mike Brown describes how activist Nelson Mandela has inspired his team and GB boxer Lauren Price shares how her fancy footwork is aided by her footballing past. Plus, Australian surfer, and Olympic bronze medallist, Owen Wright describes his road back from a traumatic brain injury.

Listen to the episode here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Wednesday 28th July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 6 - Lilly King gives tips on how to cultivate confidence / Taylor Knibb / Summer Rappaport / Pandelela

USA swimmer Lilly King gives some tips on how to be super confident. USA's triathletes have a VERY early alarm call but that's not all Taylor Knibb and Summer Rappaport are worried about. Plus, Malaysian diver Pandelela was thrown into the deep end on her first diving lesson - literally!

Listen to episode 6 here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Tuesday 27th July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 5 - Tom Daley talks Olympic dreams and evergreen career, plus Laurie Hernandez and Ramla Ali

Diving superstar Tom Daley of Great Britain is aiming to bring down an Olympic gold medal for Britain with partner Matty Lee in the 10m synchro today (Monday) at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Daley is a two-time Olympic medallist and seems more relaxed than ever. Could this be his year? Olympic champion gymnast Laurie Hernandez gives us some insider tips on watching gymnastics. Plus, Somalian boxer Ramla Ali speaks about her aims to inspire African women to take up sport.

Listen to episode 5 here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Monday 26th July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 4 - Nyjah Huston, Felipe Gustavo, and skateboarding makes Olympic history

Number one ranked street skater in the world, Nyjah Huston of the USA, joins the Olympic Channel Podcast as skateboarding becomes an Olympic sport for the first time. Nyjah gives his assessment Olympic skateboarding. Plus, Felipe Gustavo of Brazil never gave up on his skateboarding dream. His dad sold his car to fund Felipe's first USA contest trip. He gives us the story in full. We also have a brief word from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.

Listen to episode 4 here on Olympics.com or via your usual podcast audio platform (more info below). Episode released the morning of Sunday 25th July 2021 (Tokyo time).

Episode 3 - Clarisse Agbegnenou and Adam Peaty join us for the official day one at Tokyo 2020

When it comes to successful sporting mindset, few people speak better than French judoka Clarisse Clarisse Agbegnenou and British swimmer Adam Peaty. Clarisse is an Olympic silver medalist who is using her past disappointments to fuel her desire in Japan. Adam goes into the Games as a world record holder and defending Olympic champion. But he has the self-awareness to realise that there's more to sport than winning.

Listen to episode 3 here, released the morning of Saturday 24th July (Tokyo time).

Episode 2 - Usain Bolt and Simone Biles lead countdown to Tokyo 2020's Opening Ceremony

Released on Friday 23rd July, hours ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony, we have two of the biggest stars in the Olympic world to kickstart our countdown to the big show.

The pod takes a look back at Rio 2016 with four-time Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles. And sprint legend Usain Bolt opens up about his career, advice for athletes on the way up, and who to look out for in the men's 100m.

Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympic Games without Bolt since his first appearances at Athens 2004, but the eight-time gold medallist thinks that even though he's not there defend them, his records will stay standing come the end of Games.

"I'm very confident, I don't think anyone is there yet," he said.

Listen to episode 2 here, released the morning of Friday 23rd July (Tokyo time).

Episode 1 - Listen to Laurie Hernandez's guide to Tokyo 2020 in 2021

For the first special daily episode of the Olympic Channel podcast at the Tokyo Game, gold medal winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez helps give us a lowdown on what to watch. After missing out on the U.S. trials due to injury, Laurie has managed to secure a spot in Tokyo as a commentator.

She shares her insights on the USA gymnastics team, Simone Biles, her amateur karate past, and her somewhat inconsistent culinary skills. Warning: this podcast contains a lot of laughter.

You can listen on Olympics.com here.

How to listen to our podcasts from the Olympics on your favourite audio platforms

Throughout the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021, there will be a podcast released every single day - here's how you can listen on your favourite audio platform to make sure you don't miss a thing.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Google Podcasts | Castbox | Overcast | Stitcher | Podbean.

Don't forget to check out the live blog throughout the games too, and find out how all the podcast interviewees get on during competition.

More from