Nine Olympic medal hopefuls tell us how their families have helped them go for gold as the Paris Games gets under way this week.

By Shem Law

Published: Tuesday, 23 July 2024 at 11:26 AM


Family is vitally important for the vast majority of us. But what if you’re a promising young athlete and your parents are not only responsible for getting you to school but also have to ensure you get to the swimming pool or gym at 5am, look after your nutrition and spend weekends taking you to competitions in far-flung places?

In this week’s issue of Radio Times magazine, nine Olympic medal hopefuls tell us how their families have helped them go for gold. But more importantly we talk to their hard-working mums and dads who were with them every step of the way, offering unconditional love and support.

Read their stories and you may well be left with a lump in your throat, and be full of admiration for the time, effort and sheer bloody hard work needed to give an athlete even a hope of winning an Olympic medal.

As the Games get into their stride, there will be many stories of sacrifice and dedication emerging from Paris, but few will be shot through with the warmth, humour and love of these testimonies.

The new issue of Radio Times magazine is out now – subscribe to Radio Times here.

Radio Times Olympic cover featuring gymnast, Max Whitlock, with his Olympic medals.
Radio Times Olympic cover featuring swimmer, Tom Dean, with his Olympic medals.
Radio Times Olympic cover featuring boxer, Chantelle Reid, poised wearing her boxing gloves, with her Olympic medal around her neck.
Radio Times Olympic cover featuring rowers Emily Ford and Tom Ford, wearing their Olympic medals and holding an ore.
Radio Times Olympic cover featuring BMX racer Kye Whyte, wearing his Olympic medal with his helmet under one arm.

Also in this week’s Radio Times: