Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic gold champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic gold champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the BBC World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
In 2001 Wojtek Czyz had just signed his first professional contract with the German football side Fortuna Köln. His career was set for take-off but in his very first season he suffered an injury which ultimately resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Determined to stay active Wojtek trained hard and became one of the leading lights of the Paralympic movement. He won seven track and field medals, including three golds at the Athens games of 2004. When his athletics career came to an end, the question like for so many was what next ? For Wojtek that was settling sail on a boat with cargo of prosthetic legs handing them out to anyone in need. His destination was New Zealand, where he was struck by the lack of support for para sport. So, by the time of the Paris Games in 2024 Wojtek had qualified to represent his new country in Badminton. Why? Well, to prove a point and change people's views on disability rights! Cheering from the stands was his good friend and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp no less.
In 1992, the Algerian runner, Hassiba Boulmerka, won gold in the women's 1500m at the Barcelona Olympics. Before the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, her success had made her a political opponent for extremists. An imam had told her that running in shorts was anti-Islam. "My image didn't fit in at all with their ideology," is how she describes it. She was forced to do all her training abroad. She defied death threats from Islamist extremists to win one of the best women's middle-distance races of all time.
Laurence Fisher is a former world karate champion who hung up her black belt and medals years ago, but she is now using the sport to help women who are survivors of sexual and physical violence re-discover their self-respect and confidence. The karate lessons they attend are not about self-defence but re-appropriating their bodies after years of abuse. We went to one of the classes in the southern French city of Toulouse.
The perfectly manicured fairways of Augusta National - the home of golf's Masters - with its rolling greens and vibrant colours of the azaleas, is one of the perfect images of sport. Contrast that with poverty and struggle experienced by some residents of Sand Hill, just a long drive off the tee from the exclusive golf club. That's where Carl Jackson grew up, but he would go onto experience the highs of Augusta National, winning The Masters twice whilst caddying for Ben Crenshaw.
Photo: Wojtek Czyz of Team New Zealand and Jürgen Klopp poses for a picture on day one of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games (CREDIT: Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)