The Cheerleading Worlds with Special Guest Kelly Loughlin

The sport of cheerleading is probably a lot bigger than you think it is. In fact, for our British listeners, there is no sport growing faster amongst girls in our country, nor has there been for years. The number of competitors is now fast approaching six figures, across schools, universities and All-Star teams.

Today, we are extraordinarily lucky to have as a guest Kelly Loughlin, Program Director and Boss Lady of White Rose Cheer in Gildersome, Leeds. Kelly has been competing and coaching for nearly 20 years in competitive Cheerleading, and brings a level of experience and expertise to this episode that is generally absent on the Almanac.

As an Olympic pathway sport growing at an exponential rate - with the Cheerleading Worlds attracting 9000 competitors from over 40 countries and following hot on the heels of the ICU Junior World & World Cheerleading Championships - they may be taking over Orlando this week, but the future can only mean going for Gold on the biggest stage of all. Thanks to coaches and competitors across the globe, surely it's now a matter of when, not if.

Boston and London Marathons

490 BC. Ancient Greece. A messenger with a funny name and patriotism surging through his veins spots a Persian ship alter its course towards Athens. He is in Marathon, 26 miles and 385-ish yards away from his nations capital, but decides to do the unthinkable. He sheds his armour, his sword, and (being Ancient Greek) the rest of his clothes too. He runs, he makes it, he passes on a message of victory, and then he promptly expires on the spot.

2385 years later, a French academic looking to link Ancient and Modern Olympics creates the modern marathon, a battle of stamina and will against one's own limitations and common sense. And today, people dressed as rhinos, fridges and deep sea divers repeat the ancient feat for fun, and generally without it being terminal too.

The marathons of Boston and London present different histories, challenges and cultures, but both are undoubtedly incredible sporting events full of stories and people worth talking about. The former has some weird and wonderful tales of female participation against the usual strange male sensitivities. The latter, a charitable culture that has so far raised well over a billion pounds for others, as well as participants with astonishing tales of their own.

Both bring people together, no matter what others may do to divide them. This is where sport and wholesome, generous community spirit join hands, and all participants are heroes - from record breakers to ordinary people attempting to do the extraordinary alike.

The Sporting Almanac Birthday: The Masters and The Grand National

To celebrate one whole year of the Sporting Almanac Podcast we go back to where it all began, ahead of the Grand National and with the Masters underway at Augusta National. We share some reflections on the year past, and a few new stories about the weekends two events too, including Larry Mize's legendary chip and the Race That Never Was at Aintree.

One year older, but not really any wiser, expect the usual tangents, FIFA bashing and OJ Simpson references that all have very little to do with golf or horse racing....

Clips mentioned in the episode:

Larry Mize Chip-In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1k62_1g7b0

Bubba's Recovery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLfhoD1kiuQ

The 1993 Grand National https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRP_5RBKm9I