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Cameroon's Triple Jump Queen

How motherhood inspired Francoise Mbango to two Olympic gold medals.

In 2004, the Cameroonian triple-jumper Francoise Mbango made headlines around the world when she competed in the Athens Olympics with her head shaved. Mbango wanted to show solidarity with her mother, who was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Mbango won a gold medal and went on to retain her title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She talks to Ian Williams about how motherhood inspired her journey to the very top of world sport.

PHOTO: Francoise Mbango after her Olympic victory in 2004 (Getty Images)

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9 minutes

Last on

Sun 3 Oct 202118:50GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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  • Thu 30 Sep 202109:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 30 Sep 202123:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Sat 2 Oct 202117:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 3 Oct 202118:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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