Sideline Story

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SPORTS
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join Sideline Story for all things sports – the hottest topics, latest events, juiciest stories and very personal takes.

FEB 14

Beijing 2022 legacy: Skating passion, four years on

From the century-old ice of Shichahai to the Olympic-caliber rinks of the Ice Cube, Beijing's skating culture is thriving once again. We follow the city's frozen rhythms—meeting retirees who greet the dawn on skates, young students inspired by the Winter Games, and the heir to a time-honored blade-sharpening craft. Four years after Beijing 2022, ice sports have moved beyond the Olympic stage and into everyday life—becoming a defining pulse of the capital’s winter identity.

26 min
FEB 13

From breakthroughs to belief: China’s winter rise at Milano-Cortina

At the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, China’s progress is no longer just about individual stars. While Gu Ailing once again showcased elite composure, a younger generation delivered historic firsts in ski jumping, distance skating and beyond. This week, Sideline Story looks at the long-term strategy behind the results, the expanding talent pipeline, and how Chinese elements, from therapy traditions to cultural showcases, are becoming part of the Olympic stage. We also confront the climate realities threatening winter sport’s future.

26 min
FEB 6

From Beijing to Milano-Cortina: Legacies & new beginnings

Join Sideline Story to look ahead to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. From the unique dual-city setup blending Italian urban culture with Alpine beauty, to the lasting impacts of Beijing 2022—including sustainability, talent cultivation, and growing public passion for winter sports—this conversation captures what makes the next Games historic. We also highlight young athletes to watch and reflect on how Olympic legacies continue to shape the future of winter sports worldwide.

26 min
JAN 30

Beijing 2022 legacy: China's next ice hockey generation

Four years after the Beijing Winter Olympics, the ice hockey legacy is being written not by elite athletes, but by children in the Chinese capital. From Olympic venues turned training grounds to dreams of wearing the national jersey, this podcast explores how Beijing 2022 ignited a passion for ice hockey in China’s youth—and the hopes, challenges, and heartbeats shaping the future of the sport. Through the voices of kids, parents, and coaches, we dive into the quieter, deeper story of inheritance unfolding on the ice.

33 min
JAN 23

China's U-23 breakthrough: A new beginning for Chinese football?

This week on Sideline Story, we turn to a rare bright moment for Chinese football. China's U-23 national team has made history by reaching the Asian Cup final for the first time, the country's best result at any level in over twenty years. But beyond the result, what made this team different? From defensive discipline and tactical flexibility to a new wave of young talent, we look at what this U-23 side got right and whether it offers a realistic blueprint for the future. So is this just a memorable tournament run, or the start of a genuine reset for Chinese football?

26 min
JAN 16

When Xabi Alonso met Real Madrid: Why the project fell apart?

This week on Sideline Story, we turn to Real Madrid and the early end of Xabi Alonso's time at the Bernabeu. We look beyond the results to explore why a coach praised for his structure and tactical clarity struggled at a club built around superstars and freedom on the pitch. From tensions in the dressing room to Real Madrid's long-standing coaching culture, we break down why rigid ideas often clash with big-club realities. And more broadly, what does Alonso's exit tell us about modern football, where patience is shrinking and managing people can matter as much as managing systems?

26 min
JAN 9

Why did Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim now?

This week, Sideline Story looks at the shock dismissal of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. We break down why United chose to sack their head coach while still in the top-four race, examine how a tense press conference may have sealed his fate, and discuss the growing power struggle between head coaches and club hierarchies in modern football. From Old Trafford to the wider Premier League, we ask what Amorim's departure really tells us about how the game is being run today.

26 min
JAN 2

Beijing 2022 legacy: Chongli’s snow economy boom

As the world looks ahead to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Sideline Story host Yang Guang takes winter sports lovers back to the slopes of Beijing 2022 to explore a lasting legacy in motion. Four years after the Games, Chongli—once a host of Olympic events—has transformed into a booming winter economy, turning venues into vibrant destinations and passion into prosperity. From Olympic villages turned sustainable hotels to ski slopes that now coach a new generation of enthusiasts, we uncover how Beijing’s investment continues to pay off. Join us to see how Olympic legacies can live on, and what lessons Chongli’s snow economy might offer for the future of host cities like Milano Cortina 2026.

24 min

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3

out of 5

2 Ratings

Excellent Podcast for Sports

06/11/2023

ssica777

As a fun of sports, this is one of my favorite podcasts. Could you talk about more about Tennis, F1, Snooker (yes you have already talked about them a lot!). June and July are the match time for Slams. Also, can you introduce your hosts a little bit more? I really like the female host in the previous episodes, but I don’t know her name. Thanks!