It's been a little over a month since the Paris 2024 Paralympics ended. How does that expereience resonate with our TKFLASTANIs once real life has settled back in? Wheelchair basketball gold medalist Brian Bell and para shot put gold medalist Noelle Malkamaki return to tell us how the Games were for them and what's next (or not) in their lives.

Follow Brian and Noelle on Insta!

We also have some news from other TKFLASTANIs, including:

• Sled hockey player Monica Quimby -- learn more about her post-Hurricane Milton GoFundMe here.
• Wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk
• Listener Lorry
• Rugby sevens player Perry Baker
• Swimmer John Naber
• Rower Kristi Wagner

If you haven't checked out Book Club Claire's Paris travelogues, do so now! You might see Alison in them!

Also, we will have a table at the Olympin show in Atlanta! The show takes place November 8-10 and is free to attend. Come by, say hello and check out all the cool Olympic memorabilia!

For a transcript of this episode and expanded show notes, 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:

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Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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Alpine skiing is one of the core sports on today's Winter Olympic program, but it wasn't even an event at the very first Winter Olympics at Chamonix in 1924. Instead, the only skiing that mattered was cross-country, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.

Was there drama? Of course! And it started in qualifications. We've got the full story here, including Mother Nature's revenge, an incorrect podium, and the man who created technology that would forever change the sport of skiing.

Alison's got the full details in this episode!

For a transcript of this episode and full source list, please visit http://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 2024, these episodes explore the first Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix, France in 1924. 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

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Newsletter: Sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ee507102fbf7/flamealivepod

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This past weekend, Jill and Producer Ben found herself in Salt Lake City for a few days, which gave her the opportunity to visit some of the Salt Lake City 2002 venues to see how the legacy of those Games continues on.

In this episode, hear what it's like at Utah Olympic Park, home of the 2002 ski jumping, Nordic combined and sliding competitions. Currently, the park is a training and competition site, with a learn to ski program for kids. It also has a number of additional activities, including summer and winter bobsled rides, guided tours, zip lines, and trails for mountain biking. The facility also houses the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum.

Hear whether the museums and tour are worth the price of admission, as well as what it's like at the Olympic & Paralympic Plaza.

And a side note, an NHL hockey team just came to town, making a winter sports town even more winter sports happy.

Also on this episode, Milan-Cortina 2026 has released its ticket prices, and the teams for the men's ice hockey tournament are set--pending a decision on whether the International Ice Hockey Federation will allow Russia to compete.

Plus we have news from TKFLASTANIs Grace Norman, Katie Moon, Monica Quimby, and Listener Dan.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit http://flamealivepod.com.

To get exclusive content about Jill's trip to Salt Lake City, become a patron today!

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

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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

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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

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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