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DeepSummary
The episode celebrates the Olympics and Olympic athletes by combining interviews with Olympians from previous games, answering questions about the Olympics, and featuring an interview with Paralympian Emelia Perry, who will compete in the paratriathlon in Paris. It discusses the significance and composition of Olympic medals, the experiences and motivations of Olympic athletes, and the grueling qualification process for the Paralympics.
Andrew Weibrecht, a skier who won Olympic medals in 2010 and 2014, describes the design and weight of his medals and his joy in sharing them with others. Ilana Meyers Taylor, a bobsledder with five Olympic medals, discusses the incredible feeling of winning a medal and representing one's country. Leah Davison, a mountain biker who competed in 2012 and 2016, shares the dream-like experience of the Olympics and the importance of determination.
Emelia Perry, a member of the US Paralympic triathlon team, recounts her journey from injury to qualifying for Paris 2024. She emphasizes the empowering nature of adaptive sports, the camaraderie with fellow athletes, and the importance of enjoying the process rather than solely focusing on results.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Olympic medals represent years of hard work and dedication, and winning one is an incredibly proud and fulfilling moment for athletes.
- Adaptive sports like the Paralympics provide a sense of empowerment and accomplishment for athletes with disabilities, allowing them to overcome limitations and push their physical boundaries.
- Determination, hard work, and an unwavering mindset are essential for aspiring athletes to pursue their dreams, even those as lofty as competing in the Olympics.
- The Olympic and Paralympic qualification processes are grueling, involving years of training and competition to secure a spot on the team.
- Olympic medals are primarily made of silver with a gold coating, while Paralympic medals are made of their respective metals (gold, silver, bronze).
- Olympic athletes often have day jobs and train for their sports as a side passion, as the financial rewards of winning medals are limited.
- Witnessing the achievements of others can serve as powerful inspiration for athletes to pursue their own dreams and aspirations.
- The Olympic experience extends beyond just competition, with the Olympic Village and camaraderie among athletes creating a unique and dream-like environment.
Top Episodes Quotes
“It makes me feel like I'm able to do stuff because I feel like in everyday life as a wheelchair user, like, you know, you see steps, and it's like, oh, I can't do it. Or, like, you know, I have to go take the elevator instead. There's, like, a lot of stuff that I, you know, just can't do it. But then when it comes to doing sports, I could go 26 miles in my race chair. I can do a triathlon. So it just makes me feel very empowered, in a way.“ by Emilia Perry
― This quote from Emelia Perry highlights the empowering nature of adaptive sports for athletes with disabilities, allowing them to overcome everyday limitations and push their physical boundaries in a way that fosters a sense of accomplishment and empowerment.“Probably the biggest surprise everybody has is how heavy they are. They each weigh a couple pounds, so when you pick them up, you're definitely surprised that and how much heft there is to them.“ by Andrew Weibrecht
― This quote from Andrew Weibrecht provides an interesting insight into the physical nature of Olympic medals, highlighting the unexpectedly substantial weight and heft of these highly coveted awards, adding to their perceived value and significance.
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Episode Information
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Vermont Public
7/26/24
We’re celebrating the Olympics and Olympic athletes with an episode chock full of the interviews we’ve done with Olympians. Plus we answer some of the Olympic-themed questions you’ve sent us, starting with: what’s all the hype about winning a big piece of metal? And are those medals really made out of gold, silver and bronze? And we speak with Paralympian Emelia Perry, who’s competing in the paratriathlon in Paris! (Other athletes we hear from: skier Andrew Weibrecht, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, and mountain biker Lea Davison.)
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