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The Political Athlete Awakens

Sporthours bringing you stories about the first British female coach in the NFL and the rugby player returning to the game, after a bleed on the brain.

The First Ostracised Athlete
The events in Charlottesville and the remarks made by President Trump this week, has seen an increase in US athletes speaking out against racism. One of the first high profile athletes to speak out about racism in the US, was two time NBA champion Craig Hodges. The former Chicago Bulls basketball player wrote a 14 page letter to President HW Bush expressing his displeasure at the inequality in society, but it was to his detriment, he would never play professional basketball in the US again with no contract offers.

Playing on, after a brain bleed
Head injuries are the number one medical concern in rugby. Players have to pass strict medical tests, if they're to return to the pitch. But imagine returning to the field, after suffering a bleed on the brain. That is what Abu Dhabi Saracen Stephen Hamilton will be doing in the coming weeks. Hamilton, who plays centre and is also the director of rugby, missed the whole of last season due to the injury. Despite his family's concerns, Steve says he wants to fulfill his dream playing international rugby for the UAE.

It's more than a Bronze medal
Tianna Bartoletta this week revealed that she had won a Bronze medal in the World Championships, after becoming homeless three months ago and relocating to the Netherlands. In the post she also stated that she took the precaution to give herself the chance of a life that, in her words, "didn't involve fear or fighting, threats, and abuse".Sportshour's Ade Adedoyin has been to meet her.

NFL - Now Female League?
How easy is it for a woman to get a coaching position in the league? Many women are offered coaching internships like Phoebe Schecter but are never appointed to a team's permanent staff. In fact, the San Francisco 49ers became only the second team to appoint a woman to their permit coaching staff this season. Phoebe says many factors will need to change before a female coach becomes a permit fixture on the NFL side-lines.

Taking the Aussie out of Aussie Rules
The grand finals of the AFL international Cup take place this weekend. But despite the sport being called Aussie Rules, no repatriated Australians can represent their adopted country. Surely, Australian influence would help improve the quality of the sport globally? Grant Williams from the AFL says global participation is needed to grow the game, not ex pats.

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26 minutes

Last on

Sat 19 Aug 2017 09:06GMT

Broadcast

  • Sat 19 Aug 2017 09:06GMT

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