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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: A Sporting Lexicon

The Essay: A Sporting Lexicon: Episode 5: Fourth

Sport

A Sporting Lexicon

Episode 5

Episode 5: Fourth

Fourth

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, A Sporting Lexicon, FourthClose menu

Gillian Slovo considers the nobility of mising the podium and coming 'fourth' in sport.

For a series in which authors choose a word to suggest sporting endeavour, Gillian Slovo considers the nobility of mising the podium and coming 'fourth'.

They miss out on glory by a fraction of a second, or the wrong intake of breath, or the slightly delayed start..."

Gillian Slovo stands up for those who miss out on the places on the podium. We live in an age of expectation and worse, entitlement, and this makes us lose sight of the joy of taking part. But the joy of taking part encapsulates the Olympic spirit - doesn't it? 

Five writers choose a word that suggest sporting endeavour,
and Gillian Slovo thinks about coming 'fourth'.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Series in which five authors choose a word to suggest sporting endeavour

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A Sporting Lexicon

Episode 5: Fourth

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