Paris Olympics: Floor Controversy & Athlete Camaraderie (feat. Olympians Betty Okino & Shallon Olsen)

Blind Landing

On today’s episode of Blind Landing…

0:00 - 13:00: The women's floor final controversy explained

13:00 - 40:00: Olympic legend Betty Okino joins us to talk about the past and present of friendships amongst gymnasts

40:00- End: Paris Olympian Shallon Olsen calls in to talk about camaraderie at the games

As we wrap up our coverage of the Paris Olympics on this packed episode, we start by explaining the breaking story around the women's gymnastics floor final and everything that led to the IOC reallocating the bronze medal initially given to Jordan Chiles.

Then, we look back at the images that have come to define women's gymnastics at these games. Betty Okino, an Olympian & USA Gymnastics National team staff member, joins us to compare the past and present of camaraderie and representation in the sport. Betty talks about the rise of Black gymnasts in the sport, Rebeca Andrade’s reputation, how Suni Lee and Jade Carey help set the tone for friendships at national team camps, and a conversation she had with Oprah about gymnastics. And finally, Olympic gymnast Shallon Olsen recounts a story of support between herself and French gymnast Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos. Blind Landing is an award-winning independent podcast hosted by journalist Ari Saperstein.

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