More than the Score

BBC World Service
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Unexpected questions and beyond the scoresheet chat. A multi-sport global podcast from the BBC World Service, every weekday. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

  1. Venezuela on top of the baseball world

    1D AGO

    Venezuela on top of the baseball world

    Venezuela have been crowned baseball’s world champions after winning the World Baseball Classic for the first time. In a dramatic final in Miami on Tuesday night, an RBI double from Eugenio Suarez put Venezuela 3-2 up on the USA in the final inning, before pitcher Daniel Palencia struck out Roman Anthony to seal victory. It sparked huge celebrations both in Caracas and among Miami's large Venezuelan expat community. Baseball is arguably Venezuela’s national sport, and Venezuelans made up just over six percent of players to appear in Major League Baseball in 2025. But the win also came with a significant political backdrop. In January, the US launched a military assault on Venezuela and arrested its then-leader, Nicolas Maduro. American President Donald Trump reacted to Venezuela's victory on social media by posting the word “STATEHOOD” - having previously suggested Venezuela could become America's 51st state. The Venezuelan team themselves, however, have been keen to avoid any talk of politics, with team manager Omar Lopez specifically requesting that people do not ask him about the country's political situation in a press conference during the tournament. More than the Score’s Lee James is joined by a baseball writer and a Venezuelan historian to discuss Venezuela’s triumph and what it means for Venezuelans all over the world. Hannah Keyser is a baseball and sports journalist who covered the World Baseball Classic for CNN. She explains how Venezuela’s pitchers gave them the keys to victory, as well as the tournament’s place in the wider world of baseball, why its 2023 edition proved a turning point in getting the attention of the sport’s biggest names, and how there’s a big difference in the atmosphere in the stands compared to Major League Baseball. She also reflects on some of the other stories that emerged during the tournament, including how Italy became fan favourites while making a surprise run to the semi-finals. Historian Alejandro Velasco, an associate professor in the Gallatin School at New York University, discusses the reaction and celebrations that Venezuela’s victory sparked, both at home and abroad, as well as baseball’s historical and cultural significance for Venezuelans. He argues the baseball team’s victory has managed to “transcend” the country’s political divisions, and could give the country an opportunity to “think beyond polarisation”. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like para-skiing star Menna Fitzpatrick, Winter Olympic champion Elana Meyers Taylor, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    25 min
  2. Are women being frozen out of Paralympic ice hockey?

    3D AGO

    Are women being frozen out of Paralympic ice hockey?

    Ice hockey has officially been a mixed-gender event at the Winter Paralympics since 2010 – but only four women have taken part in the event in the history of the Games, with Japan’s Akari Fukunishi being the only female player in action at this year’s Milan-Cortina tournament. Those statistics echo wider concerns about female participation at the winter games. The Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics featured 160 female competitors, more than any previous edition of the Games, but they still only comprised just over a quarter of the athletes who took part. Women’s para-ice hockey did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Paralympics, which asks for a minimum of two World Championships, sustained participation from a minimum of eight nations, and representation from a minimum three regions. So what more needs to be done to get a women’s medal event at the Games? More than the Score’s Sophia Hartley talks to two American athletes who are at the forefront of women’s para-hockey’s push for a Paralympic place. Erica McKee is the captain of the US women’s national team, and a major factor in that team existing in the first place. She recalls her route into para-hockey as a nine-year-old girl, the barriers she and others faced in trying to build pathways for girls in the sport, and where she sees the future of the sport heading. Kelsey DiClaudio is arguably the best female player in para-hockey today, as the MVP and top scorer at the inaugural women’s world championships last year. She’s also nominated for the World Sportsperson with a Disability award at this year’s Laureus global sport awards. She shares her thoughts on the obstacles players still face, the standard of the game at present, and why she was blown away by the level of support the world championships received from fans in the host nation, Slovakia. Thanks to Hannah Dines for her help in making this episode - for more on this story, check out her article on the BBC Sport website. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like para-skiing star Menna Fitzpatrick, Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    21 min
  3. What next for Afcon after Senegal are stripped of 2025 title?

    3D AGO

    What next for Afcon after Senegal are stripped of 2025 title?

    The BBC’s John Bennett is joined by North African football expert Maher Mezahi and Senegalese football journalist Babacar Diarra to discuss the fallout after Morocco were declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in January’s final, which was overshadowed when Senegal’s players left the field after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless. Following a delay of about 17 minutes, the players did eventually return and Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved before Senegal's Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner. The Confederation of African Football have now overturned the result of the final following Senegal's controversial walk-off. The former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong also joins the podcast and tells us he finds the decision to strip Senegal “mind blowing” and that the decision negatively impacts the whole of African football. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like para-skiing star Menna Fitzpatrick, Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    24 min

  4. 4D AGO

    Charlie Ward: The sporting ‘superhero’ who chose the NBA over the NFL

    To be an elite level star in one sport is a tremendous achievement, but to be it in two is quite remarkable. Charlie Ward won the Heisman Trophy in college football, before pursuing a career in the NBA rather than the NFL. He remains the only player to win college football’s highest individual award and then play in the NBA. Ward tells the BBC’s Ed Harry and Nesta McGregor about his background as a two-sport athlete. He says he made it known that if he wasn’t drafted in the first round by the NFL, then he would pursue basketball - and that his stance didn’t go down well in the NFL. Ward went on to enjoy an 11-year career in the NBA, with the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. He’s now the head coach for the Florida A&M Rattlers basketball team and believes it would be harder for an athlete to play multiple sports in this era, while Nesta McGregor says athletes who can excel at multiple sports are the closest thing we have to superheroes. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    23 min
  5. Elana Meyers Taylor’s 20-year journey to Olympic gold

    5D AGO

    Elana Meyers Taylor’s 20-year journey to Olympic gold

    Elana Meyers Taylor became the oldest-ever winner of an individual Winter Olympic gold medal when she won the women’s monobob event in Milan-Cortina, aged 41. It was the American’s sixth Olympic medal, and first gold, having first won a bronze medal in 2010 at the Vancouver Games. She’s the most-decorated black athlete in Winter Olympic history, as well as the mother of two sons – both of whom are deaf. Her eldest son, Nico, also has Down syndrome. In an in-depth interview with More than the Score’s Lee James, Elana discusses her 20-year journey to Olympic gold, and why it’s taken a whole team of people to get there – including receiving invaluable support from the deaf and Down syndrome community. She also discusses her activism for black athletes in winter sports, and reflects on the effect that climate change is already having on her sport. How does she see the future of bobsleigh racing, and what part will she play in it? Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    22 min
  6. Why is figure skating not at the 2026 Winter Paralympics?

    MAR 13

    Why is figure skating not at the 2026 Winter Paralympics?

    Figure skating is one of the most popular sports at the Winter Olympics, with skaters like Alysa Liu becoming global stars following their success at the Games. However, the sport hasn't been a part of this year's Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina. Figure skating has yet to be officially sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee, and has never featured on the Paralympic programme. Dan Rodenby is a development officer at British Ice Skating and works on the organisation's Let's Skate programme, which is designed to help people with a disability get involved in skating, both on and off the ice. He explains to Lee James why recognition of figure skating by the International Paralympic Committee would be hugely significant for those looking to get involved in the sport. Among those advocating for its inclusion is the former figure skater Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls. She became ill as a teenager and suffered multiple strokes aged 19, which have led to her living with long-term health issues. She tells Emma Tracey from Access All - the BBC's disability news and mental health podcast - why she's seeking a return to skating and what the sport can do to help get people like her involved again. Emma Tracey also speaks to Margarita Sweeney-Baird, the founder and chair of Inclusive Skating - a charity designed to help skaters with disabilities to participate in the sport. Her hope is that we see figure skating at the Winter Paralympics in 2038. Access All is the BBC's weekly podcast about disability news, mental health and wellbeing for listeners all over the world. Search for BBC Access All wherever you get your podcasts. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like para-skiing star Menna Fitzpatrick, Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    20 min
  7. Max Verstappen: Why an F1 great is taking on a 24-hour race

    MAR 12

    Max Verstappen: Why an F1 great is taking on a 24-hour race

    Max Verstappen is the greatest Formula 1 driver of this decade. Since making his debut as a 17-year-old back in 2015, he's won four world championships and 71 races. But this week, he's announced he'll also be taking on a new challenge by competing in the Nurburgring 24-hour race in May - one week before the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix. At the same time, Verstappen has also said he wishes Formula 1 racing was "more fun" at present. New rule changes brought into the sport at the Australian Grand Prix have met with a mixed reception, with some saying the new emphasis on energy management is robbing the sport of skill and excitement. So what's the appeal of endurance racing - and might it prove more attractive to Verstappen than the sport that's made him famous? Seb Priaulx is an endurance racer from Guernsey who's working with Ford on a bid to win the iconic Le Mans 24-hour race in 2027. He tells More than the Score's John Bennett about what it takes to make it through an endurance race, where drivers compete as part of teams, racing in shifts. He also explains the challenges that the different styles of sportscars present, from GT3 cars to hypercars, and why he thinks Verstappen is well-suited to this new style of racing. BBC Sport's Matt Warwick also joins the pod to talk about the appeal of endurance racing from a spectator's perspective, and why the format offers a different range of experiences to appreciate. He also considers how the new rules have impacted Formula 1, and whether other racers might also look to test themselves in new formats. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    24 min

  8. MAR 11

    Is Poland’s Ekstraklasa the most exciting competition in football?

    The Ekstraklasa, the top division of Polish football, is currently having one of the most exciting seasons in its history. The top spot in the table – currently occupied by Zaglebie Lubin - has changed hands multiple times, and the top nine clubs in the 18-team division are currently separated by just eight points. The league’s top scorers, Lechia Gdansk, are 11th in the table, while its best defence belongs to eighth-placed Wisla Plock – who are currently on a five-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the most successful club in the history of Polish football, Legia Warsaw, are currently in the relegation zone, along with Widzew Lodz – who this season have signed five of the most expensive players in Polish football history. So what’s happened to make the Ekstraklasa so unpredictable, and does the football on the pitch live up to the stunning statistics? Polish football journalist Piotr Kozminski tells More than the Score’s John Bennett about the background to this remarkable season, and explains how the introduction of the Europa Conference League has been a game-changer for Polish clubs. He also suggests that neutral fans might want to keep an eye on Gornik Zabrze, where legendary striker Lukas Podolski could be set to make history in the boardroom. Colin Millar of the Athletic discusses the Ekstraklasa’s impact in the wider context of European football, and shares some of his favourite things about the season – including how one club lost two games in a row, yet still climbed the table. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Winter Olympic legends Johannes Klaebo and Arianna Fontana, South African football icon Benni McCarthy and cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

    22 min
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About

Unexpected questions and beyond the scoresheet chat. A multi-sport global podcast from the BBC World Service, every weekday. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Information

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    More than the Score

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