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sport intern special

sport intern special

By sport intern

Founded by Karl-Heinz Huba in 1968, sport intern is the longest serving news bulletin providing dependable news on and around the Olympic Movement. In the sport intern special, editor Ashish Sharma speaks to the news makers and influencers from the Olympic Movement and international sport to get their views and opinions on the major happenings in the world of sport.
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Episode 28 Marco Scolaris

sport intern specialDec 04, 2022

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Episode 60 Ingnar de Vos

Episode 60 Ingnar de Vos

At the recent SportAccord event in Birmingham, UK, one of the most important decisions was voting in a new president for ASOIF, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations.

Ingmar de Vos, who is also president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) was the sole candidate and was voted in unanimously.

In this edition of the sport intern special podcast, presenter Ashish Sharma caught up with Ingmar de Vos





Apr 14, 202413:33
Episode 59 Amanda Hudson

Episode 59 Amanda Hudson

In this edition of the sport intern special podcast presented by Ashish Sharma, we speak to Amanda Hudson.

The Director of Education at the World Anti Doping Agency, (WADA) was at the heart of their recent Global Education Conference in France.

Amanda explained the growing importance education is playing in anti doping strategies


Mar 24, 202416:14
Episode 58 Emma Terho Part 2

Episode 58 Emma Terho Part 2

In this episode of the sport intern special podcast, Emma Terho continues her chat with presenter Ashish Sharma.

The Chair of the International Olympic Committee´s Athletes Commission, gives more details about Russian and Belarus athletes, who will compete in the Paris Olympics as neutral athletes.

Mar 12, 202415:17
Episode 57 Emma Terho

Episode 57 Emma Terho

Emma Terho is the Chair of the Athlete´s Commission (AC) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The AC had a high profile at the recent Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon. In this episode, Emma talks about the impact on young athletes who got to meet some of their Olympic idols who were there representing the AC.

Feb 21, 202413:26
Episode 56 Jill Geer Part 2

Episode 56 Jill Geer Part 2

The sport intern special presenter Ashish Sharma continues his conversation with Jill Geer, head of Communications and Marketing at USA Gymnastics.

With all eyes on Paris 2024, Jill told Ashish that now is when all the hard work begins for the Olympic Games

Feb 06, 202412:52
Episode 55 Jill Geer

Episode 55 Jill Geer

In this episode, of the sport intern special podcast, presenter Ashish Sharma catches up with Jill Geer. Jill is the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer of USA Gymnastics.

When you talk gymnastics, the only place you can start is with the phenomenal talent that is Simone Biles

Jan 21, 202415:33
Episode 54 Güinther Younger part 2

Episode 54 Güinther Younger part 2

In this second part of the sport intern special podcast, presenter Ashish Sharma continues with his conversation with Günther Younger. He is the Director of Intelligence and Investigation at the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA)

With the Paris Olympics just round the corner, the aim of a clean Games is high on Younger´s agenda.

Jan 08, 202412:41
Episode 53 Günter Younger

Episode 53 Günter Younger

In this edition of the sport intern special podcast Ashish Sharma chats with Günter Younger. He is the director of Intelligence and Investigation at the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA)

Younger came from Interpol to lead WADA´s fight against doping and was part of the team that investigated doping abuses by Russian athletes after the Sochi Winter Games in 2014

Dec 21, 202315:30
Episode 52 Leonz Eder Part 2

Episode 52 Leonz Eder Part 2

In this episode of the sport intern special we hear the second part of Ashish Sharma´s conversation with Leonz Eder.

The president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) spoke about the recovery university sports were making from the Covid pandemic

Dec 11, 202311:12
Episode 51 Leonz Eder

Episode 51 Leonz Eder

In this episode of the sport intern special, presenter Ashish Sharma speaks to Leonz Eder. He was recently elected as the president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU)

Eder had been in charge on an the interim basis, but having won the election, told sport intern that he could now put into action his long term ambitions for FISU.

Nov 26, 202315:33
Episode 50 Florian Sperl Paer 2

Episode 50 Florian Sperl Paer 2

In this episode, Ashish Sharma continues his conversation with Florian Sperl, the president of the German weightlifting federation. Florian gives us an update on the current status of the sport within Germany.

Nov 06, 202313:39
Episode 49 Florian Sperl

Episode 49 Florian Sperl

In this edition of the sport intern special podcast, presenter Ashish Sharma speaks to Florian Sperl, president of the German Weightlifting Federation.

Sperl, who is also on the executive board of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), set up the IWF Refugee team.

The team made history participating for the first time in an IWF event, the recent World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was also an Olympic qualifier event.

Oct 19, 202313:14
Episode 48 Finn Taylor

Episode 48 Finn Taylor

In this episode of the sport intern special podcast, presenter Ashish Sharma speaks to Finn Taylor, CEO of Volleyball World.

The company runs the commercial side of volleyball worldwide. It was set up from the partnership between the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and CVC Capital Partners, back in 2021.


Oct 01, 202316:22
Episode 47 Juan Martorell

Episode 47 Juan Martorell

In this episode, Ashish Sharma speaks to Juan Martorell, the Deputy Director of the High Council for Sport in Spain.

Martorell has been busy organinsing Spain´s build up to the European Week of Sport. (EWoS). This European Commission initiative is aimed at trying to make people more active and incorporate sport as part of their lifestyle.

The EWoS will take place in the week commencing September 23

Sep 14, 202313:32
Episode 46 Christophe Dubi

Episode 46 Christophe Dubi

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special, Ashish Sharma speaks to Christophe Dubi. In recent weeks the states of Victoria in Australia and Alberta in Canada withdrew from hosting forthcoming editions of the Commonwealth Games.

Dubi, the International Olympic Committee´s Executive Director, shares his thoughts on the importance of this for the future of hosting major events.

Sep 03, 202314:54
Episode 45 Chris Canetti

Episode 45 Chris Canetti

In this edition we hear from Chris Canetti, the President of the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee.

His city hosted Manchester United and Real Madrid in pre season friendlies, allowing them a chance to showcase their facilities.

Aug 15, 202316:48
Episode 44 Max Siegel Part 2

Episode 44 Max Siegel Part 2

In this, the second part of our interview, Sport Intern continues its chat with the CEO of US Track and Field Max Siegel.

Max talks about building up to the LA Games via the Paris Olympics. He also talks about the legacy he wants to establish, being one of just a few African American administrators working at the highest levels within sport in the USA

Aug 03, 202315:53
Episode 43 Max Siegel

Episode 43 Max Siegel

In this the latest episode of the sport intern special podcast, Ashish Sharma speaks to the CEO of US Track and Field, Max Siegel.

Siegel has been at the head of the federation for 12 years and in that time US Track and Field has been one of the most successful, with US athletes topping the medals table at the Olympics and World Championships.

Jul 16, 202315:42
Episode 42 David Crocker

Episode 42 David Crocker

The sport intern special is a podcast produced and presented by Ashish Sharma, the editor of the Sport Intern newsletter. In this edition, Ashish talks to David Crocker, the Executive Director of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup. The event is taking place later on this year and e will be hosted by three countries, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Jun 22, 202315:07
Episode 41 Richard Pound Part 2

Episode 41 Richard Pound Part 2

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special podcast, Ashish Sharma, continues his conversation with Richard Pound. The Canadian official was one of the longest serving members of the International Olympic Committee, (IOC) before stepping down. He is now an honorary IOC member and was also the first ever president of the World Anti Doping Agency, WADA. Pound talks about the efforts the IOC has made to get young people more active and his work as WADA President.

Jun 05, 202314:08
Episode 40 Dick Pound

Episode 40 Dick Pound

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special, editor Ashish Sharma is in conversation with Dick Pound. The 81 year old Canadian, one of the longest serving members of the International Olympic Committee, (IOC) was recently made an Honorary Member of the IOC. He was also its Vice President between 1996 - 2000 and was the first ever President of the World Anti Doping Agency WADA.


May 24, 202313:45
Episode 39 Holly Bradshaw

Episode 39 Holly Bradshaw

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special podcast we speak to the British athlete Holly Bradshaw. The pole vaulter made history by becoming the first Briton to win an Olympic medal in pole valuting, after she took Bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, the climb to the top has not been easy for Holly, who sufferred horrendous online abuse when she was starting up in her sport at the age of 19. In this episode, she tells Ashish Sharma about her committment to help upcoming athletes in any sporting field deal with social media.

May 08, 202318:26
Episode 38 Janis Burke

Episode 38 Janis Burke

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special podcast, host presenter Ashish Sharma speaks to Janis Burke. Janis is the CEO of Harris County - Houston Sport Authority. She played a leading role in helping Houston win the bid to become one of the 11 cities that will host FIFA 2026 Men´s World Cup matches. The tournament will be hosted by three countries the USA, Mexico and Canada, with Houston expected to host up to host up to six matches.

Apr 20, 202318:00
Episode 37 Natalya Coyle & James Cooke

Episode 37 Natalya Coyle & James Cooke

In this episode of the Sport Intern Speical Podcast, we speak to two Olympian athletes regarding the switch from equestrian show jumping to obstacle racing, made by modern pentathlon.

While the new discipline won´t be introduced into the Olympics until LA 2028, it will debut as a competitive event later this year.

As athletes´ representatives of the International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM), former Olympians Natalya Coyle of Ireland and Britain´s James Cook, were instrumental in communicating the changes with pentathletes worldwide.

Apr 03, 202316:26
Episode 36 Witold Bańka

Episode 36 Witold Bańka

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special podcast we speak to Witold Bańka the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).  The organisation held their annual Symposium on March 14-15 in Lausanne. Mr Bańka is in the second term of the presidency and in this episode speaks about some of the key areas that WADA focused on at the Symposium

Mar 16, 202317:05
Episode 35 Ingmar De Vos Part 2

Episode 35 Ingmar De Vos Part 2

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Ingmar De Vos, the president of the International Equestrian federation (FEV). Ingmar took over as president back in 2014. We began the second part of our chat by discussing how much, if any, had  the Coronavirus pandemic impacted on the manifesto Ingmar had set out to achieve for the FEV when he first took over. 

Mar 02, 202317:52
Episode 34 Ingmar de Vos

Episode 34 Ingmar de Vos

In this the latest episode of the Sport Intern Special podcast, we catch up with the President of the International Equestrian Federation  (FEI) Ingmar de Vos. Ingmar stepped into the role back in 2014 and in November 2022 won a third and final term as President. He will oversee the Fedetation through the Paris Olympics in 2024 and told the podcast host Ashish Sharma, that the qualifiers for Paris are underway. 

Feb 21, 202315:34
Episode 33 Brent Nowicki Part 2

Episode 33 Brent Nowicki Part 2

In this, the second part of our chat with the CEO of World Aquatics, Brent Nowicki, we look at the reasons why the swimming federation changed its name from FINA to World Aquatics. Brent also shares his concerns about the closures of swimming pools due to the energy crisis, and the hangover from the Covid pandemic. 

Feb 05, 202316:11
Episode 32 Brent Nowicki

Episode 32 Brent Nowicki

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special podcast we speak to Brent Nowicki. The CEO of World Aquatics tells Ashish Sharma that the recent decision by a US District court to support World Aquatics against a lawsuit filed by the International Swimming League (ISL) and two swimmers, will allow the federation to move forward with its busy agenda of events for the coming year.

Jan 22, 202314:13
Episode 31 Christophe Dubi Part 2

Episode 31 Christophe Dubi Part 2

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special podcast, we continue our chat with Christophe Dubi, the Executive Director of the Olympic Games for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With the summer Olympics in Paris in 2024 and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026 to look forward to, Dubi said both events were going to be important for the IOC´s Olympic Agenda 2020+5

Jan 09, 202312:07
Episode 30 Christophe Dubi

Episode 30 Christophe Dubi

In this the final episode of 2022 of the Sport Intern Special podcast, we catch up with Christophe Dubi. The Olympic Games Executive Director for the International Olympic Committee, reflects on the sporting calendar. And its with no surprise that Dubi told us that the highlight event of 2022 was the Beijing Winter Games.

Dec 22, 202216:59
Episode 29 Marco Scolaris Part 2

Episode 29 Marco Scolaris Part 2

In this edition we hear part 2 of the Sport Intern chat with the president of the International Federation for Sports Climbing, (IFSC) Marco Scolaris. In this episode, Marco talks about the impact on the federation, since making its debut in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Scolaris also reflectes on the steps that need to be taken to further develop and spread sports climbing 

Dec 15, 202213:45
Episode 28 Marco Scolaris

Episode 28 Marco Scolaris

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special we speak to the President of the International Federation for Sports Climbing, (IFSC) Marco Scolaris. Sports climbing made its debut as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games. It will also feature in the next two Olympic editions, Paris  2024 and Los Angeles 2028. This gave Sport Intern an opportunity to talk to Mr Scolaris about how this changes the landacape for the sport.

Dec 04, 202211:15
Episode 27 Riccardo Fraccari Part 2

Episode 27 Riccardo Fraccari Part 2

In this the second part of the conversation with Riccardo Fraccari, the president of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) talks about plans for the future. Fraccari was reelected as the head of the sporting organisation in July to commence a second seven year term. Amongst his plans for the future include further developing interest in esports as well as planning for a Baseball Champions League. 

Nov 21, 202213:07
Episode 26 Riccardo Fraccari

Episode 26 Riccardo Fraccari

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special Ashish Sharma speaks to Riccardo Fraccari, one of the most charismatic of sports administrators and the President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). Fraccari has been in Mexico where he oversaw the inaugutral Baseball5 World Cup. Its a dream realised for Fraccari who has been planning the development of Baseball5 for several years

Nov 10, 202212:23
Episode 25 Laurent Petrynka Part 2

Episode 25 Laurent Petrynka Part 2

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special podcast, Ashish Sharma continues his conversation with Laurent Petrynka, the president of the International School Sport Federation. (ISF)  2023 is going to be an important one for the ISF kicking off with the first ever Winter Gymnasiade which will be hosted by Turkey in February. In Part 2 Laurent Petrynka talks about the importance of this new event in the continuining development of the ISF

Nov 06, 202214:38
Episode 24 Laurent Petrynka

Episode 24 Laurent Petrynka

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special podcast, Ashish Sharma speaks to Laurent Petrynka. Laurent has been the President of the International School Sport Federation since 2014. The Federation has been making great strides in the development of school sports worldwide.  Ashish began by asking Laurent how they were growing school sports

Oct 22, 202212:05
Episode 23 Zeena Wooldridge

Episode 23 Zeena Wooldridge

Squash is one of the few sports that is played worldwide but has always been on the fringes of the Olympics. And it is still waiting for an opportunity. Could its chance come in Los Angeles 2028? Or maybe Brisbane in 2032? In this episode, we speak to the Zeena Wooldridge the president of the World Squash Federation. She tells Ashish Sharma that while being in the Olympics is the ultimate ambition the federation is working hard on continuing to develop the sport 

Oct 06, 202215:58
Episode 22 Jim Scherr

Episode 22 Jim Scherr

 In this episode we speak to one of the legends of US wrestling. Jim Scherr competed for his country in the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988  and was a world cup champion in 1986 and again in 1989.  These days Jim is the CEO of World Lacrosse the oldest sports in the USA. The roots of the game go way back to Indigenous Nations being played by native Americans bordering the USA and Canada. In this episode Jim talks to Sport Intern about how the sport has grown across the world in recent years  

Sep 19, 202216:55
Episode 21 Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadon & Volleyball Olympic champion Barthelemy Chinenyeze

Episode 21 Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadon & Volleyball Olympic champion Barthelemy Chinenyeze

In this episiode we continue with our theme of looking at the build up to the Paris Olympics and Paralympics taking place in 2022. In part 1 we heard from the Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet. In this edition, we get a take on the Games of the Parisian government, with the thoughts of the Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan. We also get the point of view of a French athlete. The volleyball Olympic champion Barthelemy Chinenyeze shares his excitement at the Games coming to France

Sep 01, 202216:39
Episode 20 Tony Estanguet

Episode 20 Tony Estanguet

In this special edition of the sport intern series of podcasts, we look at the build up to the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024. The two year mark for the Games has just passed and sport intern went to Paris to speak to Tony Estanguet. The former Olympic champion in canoeing is now the president of Paris 2024, the Olympic organising body for the Paris Games. In our chat with Tony, we find out how the organisers plan to ensure that the Paris Olympics are one of the most sustainable as well as being one of the most accessible for all members of the public.

Aug 11, 202216:39
Episode 19 Olivier Niggli

Episode 19 Olivier Niggli

In this episode of the Sport Intern Special podcast we revisit the recently held WADA Symposium in Lausanne in Switzerland. Jez Inson went along on behalf of Sport Intern and spoke to Olivier Niggli the General Director of the World Anti Doping Agency.

Jul 14, 202213:21
Episode 18 Jose Perurena

Episode 18 Jose Perurena

This is the second part of the Sport Intern Special interview with Jose Perurena. The President of the International World Games Association, (IWGA) spoke to us in Part 1 about the forthcoming World Games in Alabama Birmingham. In this second part of our chat, Jose touched on topics ranging from the Olympics, to engaging with the youth and about his passion for his own sport of canoeing

Jul 04, 202214:18
Episode 17 WADA Symposium

Episode 17 WADA Symposium

For this episode Jeremy Inson travelled to Lausanne to cover the recent WADA Symposium on behalf of the Sport Intern special podcast. In this edition Jeremy sits down to chat with the president of WADA Witold Banka and WADA anti doping researcher Andrea Petroczi..

Jun 23, 202218:07
Episode 16 Jose Perurena

Episode 16 Jose Perurena

The World Games take place this July a year after they were supposed to be held. The International World Games Association (IWGA) president is Jose Perurena, a former canoe sprint athlete, who represented his native country of Spain in the 1968 Summer Olympics. Perurena was hosting the IWGA General Assembly in Madrid recently and he took some time out to speak to sport intern. In his conversation with editor Ashish Sharma, Jose talked about the exciting build up to the World Games in Birmingham Alabama

Jun 14, 202213:47
Episode 15 Ricci Bitti Part 2

Episode 15 Ricci Bitti Part 2

In this episode we continue with Part 2 of our conversation with Francesco Ricci Bitti the President of ASOIF, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. Mr Bitti tells Sport Intern that he is a man "of evolution and not revolution" when it comes to changes within the Olympic Movement. He also reflects on some of his achievements in his time working in sports administration. 

Jun 02, 202214:42
Episode 14 Francesco Ricci Bitti Part 1

Episode 14 Francesco Ricci Bitti Part 1

In this edition of the Sport Intern Special podcast we hear from one of the most influential leaders within the Olympic Movement. Francesco Ricci Bitti began his career as a tennis player, but quickly became an influential figure in the administration side of sport. He has been the president of the Association of Summer International Federations (ASOIF) since 2013, leading the organisation through the dark days of the COVID-19 lockdown. In Part 1 of our chat he explains his thoughts on the current scenario that Wimbledon Tennis finds itself regarding the  men´s and women´s governing bodies the ATP and the WTA

May 26, 202216:06
Episode 13 Sebastian Coe Part 2

Episode 13 Sebastian Coe Part 2

In this, the second part of our interview with Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, he talks about plans to have gender parity at the World Athletics council by 2027. He also gives us his thoughts on transgender athletes

May 19, 202213:53
Episode 12 Sebastian Coe

Episode 12 Sebastian Coe

In this episode Ashish Sharma from Sport Intern catches up with the President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe. In the first part of a two part interview, Sebastian talks about the ongoing sporting bans imposed on Russia and Belarus. He also looks forward to an exciting season for World Athletics starting with the Diamond League. Later on the year athletics fans will have the World Championships as well as the Commonwealth Games to look forward to.

May 11, 202216:44
Episode 11 Yiannis Exarchos Part 2

Episode 11 Yiannis Exarchos Part 2

In the second part of our chat with Yiannis Exarchos, the CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS),  we delve deep into the technological innovations in sports broadcasting. Yiannis gives us a glimpse into more interactive ways OBS hopes athletes can communicate with their fans, as well as looking ahead to planning coverage for the Paris Olympics in 2024. We also find out how he relaxes during with books and music featuring strongly

May 01, 202216:04