Keep the Flame Alive

In our year-long look back at the Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 Winter Olympics, we head to the cross-country skiing stadium (built with filming in mind) where we're in the early years of the Hakulinen-Jernberg Era. Finland's Veikko Hakulinen and Sweden's Sixten Jergberg were the dominant forces in cross-country skiing, and their performances at Cortina 1956 were no exception! However, the Soviet Union wanted to make a statement during its first appearance at a Winter Olympics, and its athletes found the podium time and time again, ending a Scandinavian hold on the sport in both the men's and women's competitions. Find out who won, who lost, what the press said about the female competitors (it's not pretty, unlike their lipstick), and who was blinded by the light. Plus, we have a report from the snack table! For a transcript and complete list of sources used in this episode, visit: https://flamealivepod.com. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons via Picryl Keep the Flame Alive: Games History Moment with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2026, these episodes explore the 7th Winter Olympic Games at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in 1956. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Merch: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod X: 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 traveling back in time to the Cortina 1956 Winter Olympics to hear all about the bobsled (or bobsleigh) competition. These Games saw some big changes: New rules about weight and new types of sleds. Cortina 1956 was the first Olympics for Italian Eugenio Monti, whose results put him on the road to becoming a local hero and one of the best bobsled drivers of all time. Bobsled also featured some sibling rivalry, royalty and the last American medal before a decades-long dry spell. Weather impacted the bobsledders in a bad way. Did Mother Nature have something against the Swiss? Come along on a wild ride through the icy bobsled track of Cortina. Thank you to our ongoing contributors and patrons! This show thrives because of our listeners. Want to give back? Learn more here. For a transcript and complete list of sources used in this episode, visit: https://flamealivepod.com. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! *** Keep the Flame Alive: Games History Moment with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown is released monthly. In 2026, these episodes explore the 7th Winter Olympic Games at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in 1956. Look for our regular episodes every week, with daily editions during the Olympics and Paralympics. Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Merch: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod X: 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

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we welcome back Jenny Sichel to talk about her experiences with being an elite athlete while managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Jenny is a coxswain who competed with both able-bodied and para rowing crews. We talked with her about being misdiagnosed for years, the work that went into taking control of her condition, and how it affected her as an elite athlete. You can learn more about OCD at the International OCD Foundation: iocdf.org. Find Jenny on LinkedIn, Insta, and Facebook. Also on the program: The Interntional Ski & Snowboard Federation had plenty of thoughts about how the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics went. Plus, the Milano Cortina Organizing Committee may have more budgetary issues with the ice hockey arena. LA 2028 announced its Cultural Olympiad. We try to find the actual news within its press release. French Alps 2030 chose a venue in the Netherlands to host the speed skating events. Guess how far away that is from everything else. The International Olympic Committee Executive Board met recently, and President Kirsty Coventry is getting the organization "Fit for the Future." We delve into all the ways you could see change at upcoming Games, whether the Youth Olympic Games will return, and if anyone at the IOC knows how a sport gets onto the Olympic program. In news from Team Keep the Flame Alive, we hear from: Fencers Miles Chamley-Watson, Lee Kiefer, Maia Chamberlain, Alexander Massialas and Kat Holmes Former luger Maura Grogan Former figure skater Gracie Gold Filmmaker George Hirthler - to get tickets to "The Games in Black & White," visit TaraAtlanta's website. For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photo courtesy of Jenny Sichel. *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

The U.S. Center for SafeSport was created in 2017 by the U.S. Congress in the wake of the Larry Nasser scandal to address abuse and misconduct in American Olympic and Paralympic sports. On this episode, we talk with Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, who became the organization's new chief executive officer in February 2026. Benita is an Olympic champion herself, winning gold in 1984 in the 100 meter hurdles. She's also a mother of children who have their own competitive athletic journeys. These experiences combine to give her insight as to how to lead an organization whose mission is to protect young athletes. Our conversation, which took place during her first week on the job, gets into the differences of the inappropriate behavior she saw during her time as an athlete, the measures the U.S. Center for SafeSport is taking today, and her hopes for what the center can achieve in the future. Also on this episode, Alison reviews her experience at Stars on Ice, which includes insight on how influential Alysa Liu has become in our culture. Plus, there are rumors that the International Olympic Committee has said game over to esports and has thoughts about the sports programs for French Alps 2030 and Brisbane 2032. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics. All year long, cultural institutions and the Olympic Park will have events to celebrate these Games. The fun will culminate in a big 50th anniversary celebration on August 1. Find out what's going on here: https://montrealolympique.ca/en/ The best event will be The Great Nadia Gathering in honor of the impact Nadia Comaneci had on baby names. If you're a Nadia of a certain age (born 1976-1978), this contest is for you: https://montrealolympique.ca/en/events/the-great-nadia-gathering-contest/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photo courtesy of U.S. Center for SafeSport. *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

Day 3 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics was a struggle in transportation. Jill scored a massive win by getting to the para Alpine competition, but thanks to the not-well-thought-out transportation schedule, saw 1.5 of 6 classes. Still, it was a massive achievement for Keep the Flame Alive that we've finally made it to a Para Alpine competition! Things got better at the last round robin session of wheelchair curling, where TKFLASTANI Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer gave Team China its first loss of the tournament. Meanwhile, Alison went back to Milano to see para ice hockey and spent more time on the train than in the rink. Hear how that went down and what Milano looks like two weeks later. Sports on today's program: Para Alpine skiing Para ice hockey Wheelchair curling We'd like to give a big shout out to our donors who got us to Milano Cortina, as well as our patrons who keep our flame alive throughout the Olympic and Paralympic quad. If this show helps you enjoy the Games more, please consider sending a financial contribution to ensure the show can continue through LA 2028. Find out more at https://flamealivepod.com/milano-cortina-fundraiser/. If you'd like to become a patron, you'll get exclusive bonus content throughout the Games. For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com. Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep the flame alive! Photo courtesy of OIS Photos. *** Keep the Flame Alive: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

Day 1 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics starts off with a wild (and nauseating ride) that does not end well for Alison, but she does get to an exciting day of wheelchair curling. Meanwhile, Jill made a questionable choice going up into the mountains, but got some interesting intel and took a gondola ride (and we know that gondola rides can end badly). Sports on today's program: Para Alpine skiing Para biathlon Para ice hockey Para snowboard Wheelchair curling We'd like to give a big shout out to our donors who got us to Milano Cortina, as well as our patrons who keep our flame alive throughout the Olympic and Paralympic quad. If this show helps you enjoy the Games more, please consider sending a financial contribution to ensure the show can continue through LA 2028. Find out more at https://flamealivepod.com/milano-cortina-fundraiser/. If you'd like to become a patron, you'll get exclusive bonus content throughout the Games. 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: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic cauldron might be out, but we're still keeping the flame alive! We talk with listeners about their favorite moments from these Winter Olympics. Don't forget that the Paralympics are coming up soon! Daily coverage starts Wednesday, March 4. Keep our Flame Alive! We podcast about the Games all year. If you appreciate the independent voice that we provide, please consider supporting us today. Go to http://flamealivepod.com/support to learn about our one-time and ongoing patronage options (as well as the bonus content for our patrons). 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: Obsessed with the Olympics and Paralympics? Just curious about how Olympic and Paralympic sports work? You've found your people! Join your hosts, Olympic aunties Alison Brown and Jill Jaracz for smart, fun, and down-to-earth interviews with athletes coaches, and the unsung heroes behind the Games. Get the stories you don't find anywhere else. Tun in weekly all year-round, and daily during the Olympics and Paralympics. We're your cure for your Olympic Fever! Call us: (208) FLAME-IT. *** Support the show: http://flamealivepod.com/support Bookshop.org store: https://bookshop.org/shop/flamealivepod Become a patron and get bonus content: http://www.patreon.com/flamealivepod Buy merch here: https://flamealivepod.dashery.com Hang out with us online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flamealivepod Insta: http://www.instagram.com/flamealivepod Facebook Group: hhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/flamealivepod Newsletter: Sign up at https://flamealivepod.substack.com/subscribe VM/Text: (208) FLAME-IT / (208) 352-6348