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Sportshour: Karina Leblanc on coronavirus fears after childbirth

Discussion & Talk

Karina Leblanc: 'I was looking at her thinking, is this it?'

02/05/2020 GMT

Karina Leblanc on coronavirus fears after childbirth

BBC World Service - Sportshour, Karina Leblanc on coronavirus fears after childbirth

Former Canadian footballer Karina Leblanc tells Sportshour her incredible story.

Former Canadian footballer Karina Leblanc tells Sportshour her incredible story after she gave birth to her daughter and then had to self-isolate away from her for 14 days.

"I couldn't see my baby daughter for two weeks" - former Canada Karina Leblanc goalkeeper gave birth to her daughter last month. However, soon after her baby was born, Karina was rushed to hospital with breathing issues. Due to the possible risk of exposure to COVID 19 at the hospital - Karina then had to self quarantine from her baby and husband for two weeks. We speak to Karina about what happened, how hard it was being separated from her daughter Paris and how good it felt to hold her baby for the first time after isolation.

"I feel like my purpose in life is competing at a very high level" - in 2018 Robert Wickens was paralysed following an IndyCar crash. Recently he's been competing in the INDYCAR IRacing Challenge, a competitive series that uses simulators. He tells us he sees it as a step towards racing in IndyCar again and how he was determined to and managed to stand at his wedding last September.

Anxiety in the A League - play in Australia's A League was suspended in March due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Since play was halted the Professional Footballers Australia say that 58% of players they surveyed have reported symptoms of anxiety while 45% have demonstrated symptoms of depression. There are also rumours the competition's broadcast partner is looking to pull out of their deal. A possible return date of August 1st has now been suggested but with all the uncertainty in the air Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young will join us to discuss the impact the situation is having on players mental health.

Extreme E and more opportunities for women in Motorsport - This week a new all-electric off-road race series was launched. When it starts in 2021 each team will field one male and one female driver, meaning men and women will race against each other. Swedish racing driver Mikaela Kottulinsky is one of the few people to have driven the new SUV as she's been working as a test driver for the tyre manufacturer. She'll join us to talk about the new series, what it could mean for women in motorsport and her own background in racing.

A lack of PPE means I'm wearing a Scuba Mask - Snooker referee Olivier Marteel is working as an a and e nurse in his native Belgium. He's a radiologist by trade but has answered the call to help on the front line in the fight against coronavirus. He tells us about working in the hospital, a lack of Personal Protective Equipment, and how he's watching old snooker matches to unwind.

The long shot that changed a homeless caddie's life - 59 year old Llewellyn Barnes has been been homeless for most of his life and has supported himself by working as a caddie on the golf courses of South Africa. He's also battled substance abuse but last month he made his debut as a player in a professional golf tournament. We'll hear from Llewellyn and also speak to BBC Sport Africa's Celestine Karoney about his remarkable life story.

That's Isolation - Former Tottenham midfielder and current Charlton Assistant Manager Johnnie Jackson has been writing and performing songs to fund-raise for cancer charities during the coronavirus lockdown. He'll join us to talk about his idea and he'll perform "That's Isolation", which is a play on the Jam song "That's Entertainment".

Sporting Witness - This week we tell the emotional story of how a young girl in Pakistan fought for the right to take part in one of the country’s most popular sports. Ashley Byrne has been talking to Maria Toorpakai Wazir about how she disguised her gender - and risked her life - in order to play professional squash.

Photo credit: Karina Leblanc (Getty Images)

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