The Olympics: Wrestling for redemption in Jordan

Available for over a year

Injuries meant wrestler Dan Russell missed out two opportunities for glory at the Olympics back in the 1990s. But missing the chance to fight for gold twice was not what left him feeling empty when he retired from the sport. Dan had a difficult childhood, suffering abuse from neighbours and enduring a brutal training regime, being made to wrestle all day, every day, by his father, who was also a Christian pastor. Once retired, Dan’s past traumas began to haunt him, causing rifts in his marriage and leading to a deep depression. Dan had trophies and medals from his sporting days, but what next? And where was God in his life when he needed Him most? Then, a chance call from USA Wrestling asking Dan to head up Wrestling for Peace, a charity project aimed at bringing people together through wrestling and humanitarian work, changed the course of everything. Dan searched all over the US for a place to start the project, but a dream told him he was destined to move and work in Jordan, in the Middle East. So Dan and his wife Joy, sold everything and moved to Jordan. BBC reporter Rajeev Gupta finds out that living and working in Jordan has not been easy for Dan. Will Dan ever be able to find redemption as he continues to wrestle, now with life itself rather than in the ring? Producer/presenter: Rajeev Gupta Editor: Miriam Williamson Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno