Peter Dahlin discusses his Open Letter to the International Olympic Committee “IOC” about the disappearance of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai. The IOC has helped the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) kill the story rather than helping ensure Peng’s safety and freedom. Dahlin explains why the IOC's actions are so problematic. In this episode, we talk about… The use of disappearance in China as a tool of the State Why Peng’s media appearances fit a pattern of staged public appearances for...

This is a re-release of our interview with Matthew Graham and Paulina Tomczyk, originally published within GA Podcast EP04. Athletes must have a voice when it comes to athlete rights and players associations provide the opportunity for their voices to be heard and supported. Noah welcomes Matt Graham and Paulina Tomczyk to discuss what players associations are and why they’re so necessary in today’s world of sport. In this episode, we talk about… What a player association is and examples of...

This is a re-release of our interview with Beckie Scott, originally published within GA Podcast EP03. Just because you’re elected to a position of power doesn’t mean you can make the changes you want. Beckie Scott joins Noah to discuss her experiences with both the WADA Athlete Committee and IOC Athletes’ Commission and the ups and downs of athlete representation and power in international sport governance.  In this episode, we talk about… What drove Beckie to get involved in the WADA Athlete...

This is a re-release of our interview with Proffessor Jules Boykoff, originally published within GA Poscast EP01. The Olympics are no doubt an iconic sports staple and whether watching gymnasts tumble across an arena or skiers flying down the slopes, chances are you’ve watched—and probably cheered for—an Olympic event. Professor Jules Boykoff joins Noah Hoffman to break down the history of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and share the impact of some remarkable highs and lows of the...

This is a re-release of our interview with Rob Koehler, originally published within GA Podcast EP02. Without athletes, the Olympic and Paralympic Games would not be possible. Noah talks with Rob Koehler about why it’s imperative to understand athletes’ rights and why more accountability is needed in both the IOC and Court of Arbitration for Sport.  In this episode, we talk about… The emotional story of Navid Afkari Athlete activism in Belarus Relationship between IOC Athletes’ Commission and...

Dr. Antoine Duval sheds light on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and how much restructuring is needed for athletes to have better representation in the world of international sport.  In this episode, we talk about… An overview of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and its general mission How athletes competing at the international level provide a strongly influenced consent to arbitration  The issues of transparency and independence at CAS and why it needs to be fundamentally...

Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov took the world by surprise when he went public and revealed Russia’s doping practices in 2016. Dr. Rodchenkov shares his experience in the Russian doping system, what policy changes athletes worldwide still need and what the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act means for the world of international sport.       In this episode, we talk about… Whether the doping system that Rodchenkov oversaw in Russia is similar to other doping systems in other countries The distinction of clean...

Just like the National Hockey League has the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), some Olympic sports have unions that represent players within a specific league. However, there's no independent professional body representing athletes’ interest to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Don Fehr of the NHLPA shares the challenges athletes without organized representation face. In this episode, we talk about… Biggest differences...

We are not having new episodes during the Tokyo Olympics. We will be back in your feed on August 10th.

The Tokyo Games start in just a few days after being delayed for one year. Hosts Noah and Bree welcome Irish karate athlete and World Champion kickboxer Caradh O’Donovan to address different stories surrounding this year’s controversial Olympic and Paralympic Games and why systems surrounding athlete representation must change. In this episode, we talk about… Caradh’s personal sport journey and her decision to not compete in the Tokyo Olympics How Caradh got involved in the Global...

Independent athlete organizations have been around for years but not all of them last long enough to make significant changes. Noah discusses two new groups with world class athletes Christian Taylor, Emma Coburn, and Matt Biondi and their experiences of forming independent athlete groups in hopes of providing solutions and positive change for athletes worldwide. In this episode, we talk about… What led Christian to follow the footsteps of other athlete rights organizations and start...

Athletes must have a voice when it comes to athlete rights and players associations provide the opportunity for their voices to be heard and supported. Noah welcomes Matt Graham and Paulina Tomczyk to discuss what players associations are and why they’re so necessary in today’s world of sport. In this episode, we talk about… What a player association is and examples of players associations The main mission of player associations when it comes to athlete representation and accountability...

Just because you’re elected to a position of power doesn’t mean you can make the changes you want. Beckie Scott joins Noah to discuss her experiences with both the WADA Athlete Committee and IOC Athletes’ Commission and the ups and downs of athlete representation and power in international sport governance. In this episode, we talk about… What drove Beckie to get involved in the WADA Athlete Committee and IOC Athletes’ Commission Details about Beckie’s experience within WADA AC What...

Without athletes, the Olympic and Paralympic Games would not be possible. Noah talks with Rob Koehler about why it’s imperative to understand athletes’ rights and why more accountability is needed in both the IOC and Court of Arbitration for Sport. In this episode, we talk about… The emotional story of Navid Afkari Athlete activism in Belarus Relationship between IOC Athletes’ Commission and the IOC Rule 50 and it’s current implications for Olympic/Paralympic athletes Double standard...

The Olympics are no doubt an iconic sports staple and whether watching gymnasts tumble across an arena or skiers flying down the slopes, chances are you’ve watched—and probably cheered for—an Olympic event. Professor Jules Boykoff joins Noah Hoffman to break down the history of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and share the impact of some remarkable highs and lows of the modern Olympic games. In this episode, we talk about… Pierre Coubertin’s vision and who he wanted to...

The Global Athlete Podcast features in-depth conversations about international sport governance, athlete rights, and the future of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hosted by Olympic cross-country skier Noah Hoffman with weekly contributions from Olympic bobsledder Bree Schaaf, the podcast centers athletes in the politics of sport. Guests include experts and activists covering topics such as athlete agency, welfare, and power; the IOC as a political institution; the differences between...