Original version

BBC World Service South Asia

Migrated podcast image for: Sportshour

Sportshour

Sport

Live Saturday morning global sports show with reports, debate and humour

Live Saturday morning global sports show with reports, debate and humour.

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Sportshour: Marieke Vervoot: In life and death

Discussion & Talk

Marieke Vervoot: In life and death

26/10/2019 GMT

BBC World Service - Sportshour, Marieke Vervoot: In life and death

Remembering Marieke Vervoort the Paralympian who ended her own life through euthanasia

We remember the life of Paralympian, Marieke Vervoort, who this week chose to end her life through euthanasia. Vervoort has had an incurable, degenerative muscle disease. The Belgian wheelchair racer won gold and silver at the London 2012 Paralympics, and two further medals at Rio 2016.

Picked to play by JFK:
We're in Washington as the Nationals try and win their first ever World Series. With victory, as is tradition a trip to the White House to meet the president, which given that it's only 5km across the city from their home stadium should be pretty easy for the Nationals. There's is a long association between the political heart of America and Washington's sports teams but none better we think that this story. Back in 1962, Tom Brown was a young man at the start of his sporting career. He remains one of the few people to have played both Major League Baseball and American Football professionally. He was a twice Superbowl winner with the Green Bay Packers. During his one season with the Washington Senators he started one particular game under the order of President John F Kennedy.

Protecting young athletes: 
A few weeks ago we brought you an interview with the judge from the Larry Nassar case. Nassar was the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor who was convicted of sexually assaulting hundreds of young athletes but what impact has the case had on the current generation of gymnasts ? We sat down with a young hopeful.

A cape crusader: 
Many of the townships in Cape Town, South Africa are plagued by high crime rates. Communities often lack recreational opportunities which in turns attracts some young people to get caught up in anti social behavior. But thanks to the efforts of football and a local policeman, things in one such township is changing.

Photo: Belgium Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoot gives a press conference to defend her decision to undergo euthanasia after the Games (Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sportshour

Marieke Vervoot: In life and death

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service