Colin Murray's Gold Run: Terry Spinks tribute
Allan Wells winning Olympic gold in 1980
With ten living British Olympic Gold Medallists down and a mind-boggling, potential 104 still to go, I can only quote the immortal words of Mr Kris Akabusi: ''Good Grief!''.
Of course, I know just how far down the road I have travelled so far, but actually hearing Colin Murray's Gold Run on air for the first time last Sunday on was an interesting experience, made up of equal parts of nerves, exhilaration, excitement and eventual relief.
The story of Bob Braithwaite in Episode 1 has lived with me ever since I met him earlier this year. To have people talk to me, email me and Tweet (@BBCGoldRun) about his wonderful attitude and outlook has made every last minute, mile and sleepless night worthwhile.
There are many more outstanding quotes from our conquering men and women to come, but I think Mr Braithwaite will take some beating.
''I think there are more important things than shooting or running. Saving of life, the great experimental work that is going on with health, I think those are the people who should get the rewards. (I am) not a great Olympian, just an Olympian.''
I was also blown away by the amount of people who enjoyed learning of Allan Wells' 'second Olympic final', and I only hope, for those who did like the programme, than we can keep up the standard throughout the whole nine weeks.
This Sunday's show, most importantly, is a tribute to the late Terry Spinks, a boxer who went to Melbourne in 1956 and came back with gold against all odds. When we met Terry, he wasn't in the best of health, but with his family and friends we relived his amazing story and talked of his legacy to this very day.
Just last month, Terry passed away after a long battle with illness. Producer Rob Day and I feel beyond privileged to have spent an afternoon in his company, and we hope our visit acts as a fitting radio tribute to the East End Idol, and to all of those who adored him, in and out of the ring.
Elsewhere in programme two, the 4x100m relay team from the Athens games relive that night in 2004, and even re-run the race - which you can see the video on this website. The extended version of the interview will also be available as a podcast as, like so many Gold run interviews, there is just not enough time to bring you all the good bits.
Also, I cannot wait for the nation to hear the very different story of Rebecca Romero, our only Olympian to win medals in two entirely different sports, as she talks with crushing honesty about her less than glorious experience in Beijing.
Add to that the daddy of the bicycle, Chris Boardman, a special night out with our three-day eventers from 1968 and 1972 (you'll never believe what they drank to stay hydrated in Mexico!) and an afternoon with Lynn 'The Leap' Davies, and this new instalment of Colin Murray's Gold Run will hopefully reward your listening loyalty.
Now, I must go, as I have just gotten a sniff of Audley Harrison and need to hit the road again...
Colin Murray's Gold Runis on 5 live at 11am every Sunday in the run up to London 2012. There will also be a podcast -Colin Murray's Gold Run: Extra- with extended interviews from the series available after every programme. For the latest news, clips, images and videos from the series follow@bbcgoldrunon Twitter.
Comment number 1.
At 16:06 24th May 2012, andy wrote:Having just complimented Colin on the last blog, he goes and uses the phrase 'the daddy of the bicycle'. Give with one hand, take away with the other...
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Comment number 2.
At 14:32 26th May 2012, Fedster wrote:At the risk of this being binned.............
Euro 2012 on the BBC
Having just seen the 5live line up for Euro 2012, i think it makes intresting reading:
Presenters
Mark Pougatch
Mark Chapman
Colin Murray
Commentators
Mike Ingham
Alan Green
John Murray
Darren Fletcher
Conor McNamara
Alistair Bruce-Ball
Summarisers & Pundits
Chris Waddle
Graham Taylor
Danny Mills
Kevin Kilbane
Jan Molby
Pat Nevin
Steve McClaren
Robbie Savage
John Motson
David Pleat
1 thing that strikes me is why have Motty as a pundit,why not use him as a Commentator, never heard him being used as a Match Pundit,also Steve McClaren is back for another stint, which i welcome his views are rather insightful.
Having Ingham and Ian Dennis based in the England Camp makes sense i suppose likewise Conor McNamara and Kevin Kilbane in the Ireland Camp, however a change from past Tournaments where all 5live Sport presnters were based on the scene, this time Chappers and Colin Murray will be based in Salford alongisde the 3 wise men from BBC TV.
Thoughts? This reminds me of the good old days with Walsall Chris, David Sheild and the good old Commentator threads.
https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/euro2012mediapack.pdf
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