Sportsworld

The 2020 NBA season has been far from normal - due to covid restrictions the action returned without home court advantage, with no fans and with all games played in a bio-bubble in Disneyworld. But with the play-offs just two days away, would winning in this extraordinary season crown the career of one of the game's most extraordinary players, LeBron JamesOn Sportsworld we find out more about the basketball legend who is aiming to lead a third different side to the NBA title, and discuss how key the next couple of months are going to be in determining where he stands in the on-going debate about who is the greatest of all time. We speak to Dru Joyce, his basketball coach at St Vincent St Marys high school in Ohio, his Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers teammate DeAndre Liggins and basketball journalist Bonnie-Jill Laflin.Photo: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Staples Center (Credit: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Will George Floyd's death lead to change? NFL player Sam Acho, WNBA Chicago Sky player Gabby Williams and England and Harlequins rugby union player Shaunagh Brown discuss their own experiences of racism in light of Floyd's death."It's not politics it's our lives, we're trying to erase the line between our blackness and our sport.”George Floyd was an African American man killed during an arrest in Minneapolis in May. It sparked protests around the globe about racial injustice and racism. What changes do these athletes want to see in their sport and society? This is the first in a series of BBC discussions about racism across the globe and whether we will see change.Photo credit: Gabby Williams wearing a 'Black Lives Matter' shirt whilst warming up before the Chicago Sky match against Seattle Storm (Getty Images).

This programme explores the sad and controversial life of Jim Thorpe - the American Indian who was the star of the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, where the Swedish King famously told him 'Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world'.Thorpe had grown up on the Sac and Fox Indian reservation in Oklahoma and then, as a teenager, was sent 1500 miles away to a boarding school in Pennsylvania whose purpose was to 'civilise' Indian children by eradicating their culture. Its motto was 'Kill the Indian and save the man'. The pupils were forced to wear military uniforms, have short hair, and were punished if they spoke their own languages. 'The last phase of the Indian wars was fought in the classroom', says one contributor.Thorpe was saved by sport and became the school's great star at both athletics and American football. He's often described as the 'first international sporting superstar'. But in 1913 it came out that he had been paid a few dollars to play minor-league baseball and the elite amateurs who ran US athl

As Liverpool end their 30-year wait for the league title, we chart the rise of their remarkable manager Jurgen Klopp.We take you to Klopp's home village of Glatten in the Black Forest and to Mainz where he was a player for a decade, then tasted promotion and relegation as a manager.Then we travel to Dortmund where he won trophies, became a celebrity and had a pop song written in his honour. And finally to Anfield, where he has ended fans' yearning for a 19th league title.We'll speak to school friends, players, executives and fans to learn about how he developed his coaching philosophy, his big personality, his gifts as an orator and the man-management skills that set him apart from many of his peers.This is the comprehensive backstory of one of the most revered coaches of modern times.Photo: Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)

Sarah Mulkerrins is joined by Former New Zealand Captain and Global Director of Women’s football for Copa 90 Bex Smith and Former FIFA Director of Women’s football, now head of Women’s Football for Switzerland Tatjana Haenni to look back on the 2019 World Cup and the legacy it created for women's football. The tournament staged in France was considered a huge success, but what impact did it have on the sport in some of the competing nations? French football journalist Loic Tanzi assess the changes in the host nation, South Africa coach and former Banyana Banyana captain Desiree Ellis reflects on their World Cup debut and we're joined by a World Cup winner, USA's Jessica McDonald.Picture: The trophy of FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 is displayed during a press conference to present the FIFA Women's World Cup. (Getty Images)

The 2020 Champions League final was due to be held at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Saturday May 30th, exactly 15 years after the most extraordinary night in the competitions history as Liverpool completed “The Miracle of Istanbul”.AC Milan had a star studded line up and were overwhelming favourites, especially after they raced into a 3-0 lead. However Liverpool launched the most amazing second half comeback that culminated in winning the trophy in a penalty shootout.To mark that anniversary, we take you back to that iconic night with those who were there - including penalty saving hero, Jerzy Dudek.Plus broadcasters and fans, each with their own unique perspective on the moments that made the match the most talked about for years.Photo: Jerzy Dudek saving Andriy Shevchenko's penalty to win the Champions League in 2005 (Getty Images)

There may be no FA Cup final on FA Cup final day, but we've decided to put our panel of guests to the test on their knowledge of the famous old trophy, and you can play along.

Sportsworld's Lee James is joined by Rob Green, Robyn Cowen and Rene Meulensteen as they pick their six-a-side team of the season in the format of a US draft. Six picks from each respective field position and you can only have one player from each Premier League team. Join the madness as the team fight to get their top picks of the season into their teams. Who would you pick?Photo Credit: Sadio Mane playing for Liverpool FC (Getty Images)

Lee James is joined by Andy Murray's former coach Miles Maclagan, former US professional Jill Craybas and tennis journalist Gigi Salmon to create their ultimate Wimbledon champion.From forehands, serve and return to tricks, heart and champion spirit, they select the best attributes from the world's best tennis players to make a Wimbledon GOAT.Photo: Serena Williams & Roger Federer (Getty Images)

Nearly 400 players from 30 different nations across the African continent have graced the Premier League.But who is the best?Lee James is joined by Janine Anthony, John Bennett and George Addo to somehow come up with a list of the top eight African players in the Premier League. There’s also a special appearance from former Nigeria, West Brom and Stoke winger Peter Odemwingie, who puts forward his case to make the final list...And then we head to a lockdown knockout with the top eight going head-to-head in the quarter-finals, in a battle to be crowned champion.Sarah Mulkerrins, Mo Allie, Melissa Reddy and the ex-Tottenham, Norwich and Cameroon defender Sebastian Bassong have the unenviable task of picking the winner – so who will they decide?Photo: L-R Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure & Michael Essien (Getty Images)

We discuss the impact the coronavirus is having on the mental well-bring of athletes and across sport.Lee James is joined by former West Ham and Wales midfielder turned MLS side Atlanta United Academy coach Jack Collison. Along with former Aston Villa player welfare and liaison officer Lorna McClelland. We explore what athletes are doing to support each other and keep themselves busy.Jeremy Snape, who is now a sport psychologist, talks about the mental challenges facing athletes during the pandemic. And bowler for English County cricket team Warwickshire, Olly Hannon-Dalby, tells us about the #MakeTheCall initiative - which aims to reach out and talk to vulnerable members of the community who may be isolating. Picture: An empty football pitch in England (Getty Images).

Eight time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters and BMX world champion Alise Willoughby give their views on the unprecedented postponement of this summer's Olympics. The pair talk about how their training schedules have suffered due to lock-down caused by the coronavirus pandemic and how their preparations will have to change in order for them to be at their best when the Games finally take place. They also talk about coping with having to stay at home from a mental point of view and the measures they're taking to stay in a positive mindset.Picture: The newly-built Japan National Stadium, the main venue for the 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo on March 25, 2020, the day after the historic decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. (Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp is the smiling, bear-hugging coach who has steered Liverpool to the brink of the Premier League title. But what do you know about his Black Forest roots, and his journey from second division footballer to managerial master? In a Sportsworld special, we'll take you to Klopp's home village of Glatten, to Mainz where he was a player for a decade, then tasted promotion and relegation as a manager - and to Dortmund where he won trophies, became a celebrity and had a pop song written in his honour. We'll speak to school friends, players, executives and fans to learn about how he developed his coaching philosophy, his big personality, his gifts as an orator and the man-management skills that set him apart from many of his peers. This is the comprehensive back-story of one of the most revered coaches of modern times. Photo: Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)

On 24 July, the Olympic flame will be lit and the Summer Games will officially begin.With just 6 months to go, BBC Sportsworld takes a look at the new sports which will feature during Tokyo 2020.Photo: Surfers make their way towards the water during a surfing test event in Tokyo, Japan. (Getty Images)

On the 10th November, 2009, Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke committed suicide in the city of Hanover. Enke, who won eight caps for the German national side and played for Benfica, Barcelona and Hanover 96 amongst others, had suffered from three bouts of depression during his life and never felt comfortable to openly talk about his battles. So what has football learned and how have attitudes towards mental health changed in the sport since Enke's tragic death?German football journalist Raphael Honigstein and former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who has also suffered from depression, join John Bennett to discuss Enke's story, why he struggled with his mental health and what has changed in the sport to help players feel more able to talk about their feelings.During the podcast, we speak to Enke's wife Teresa about what the last 10 years has been like, why 'Robbie' couldn't reveal his depression publicly and how the Robert Enke Foundation is helping tackle mental health issues. We'll also hear f

Oksana Masters was born two years after Chernobyl with several radiation-induced birth defects. This included tibial hemimelia (resulting in different leg lengths), missing weight-bearing shinbones in her calves, webbed fingers with no thumbs, and six toes on each foot.She was abandoned by her birth parents at a Ukrainian orphanage where she lived until age 7 when she was adopted . Since then Oksana has won eight Paralympic medals including two golds. She tells Ed Harry her story.Photo: Oksana Masters of the United States wins gold in the women's 1.1km cross-country skiing final in the sitting category at the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games (Getty Images)

Mike Powell, Long Jump World Record Holder, and Olympic High Jump Champion, Stefan Holm, are our guests.How was Doha? What’s Tokyo going to be like? This season-ending Warm Up Track asks two legends what they think about the 2019 Worlds and the 2020 Olympic Games.How good can Noah Lyles be, and what was it like training with Noah’s dad?Whose child would now win a jump off with their father?Mike and Stefan also discuss the challenges facing athletics; doping, changes to the Diamond League for 2020 and whether they are optimistic or pessimistic about the future of Track and Field. Plus, why Mike wouldn’t make a very good poker player.Image: Mike Powell of the United State celebrates on the podium with silver medallist Carl Lewis (R) and bronze medallist Larry Myricks (L) after making his world record leap during the Long Jump event at the IAAF World Athletic Championships on 30th August 1991 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Mike Powell/Getty Images)

This week, multi-event royalty. Golden couple Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton join us in Doha to reflect on who won their old events and talk about the birth of their first child, which isn’t too far away.Why didn’t anyone in Doha follow Ashton’s example and wear an ice helmet? Find out why all of the Heptathletes and Decathletes should have a banquet.Plus, why both knew it was right to retire after the Rio Olympic Games and what it’s like knowing that the next World Champs will be held on your old University campus.Photo credit: Brianne Theisen Eaton of Canada is congratulated by her husband Ashton Eaton of the United States after winning gold. (Ian Walton/Getty Images for IAAF)

It's been 10 years, since Jamaica's Usain Bolt broke his own 100 metre World Record at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin. We hear from three men who were lucky enough to be in the stadium when Bolt finished in 9.58 seconds. Antigua and Barbuda sprinter Daniel Bailey, race starter Alan Bell and commentator Márton Gyulai talk about their experiences of watching Bolt race towards the finish line. Former Jamaica sprinter Grace Jackson and journalist Kayon Raynor discuss the future of Jamaican sprinting and who could challenge Bolt's record.

Sportsworld brings you a special podcast previewing this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan. 20 teams will battle it out for rugby’s biggest prize, with New Zealand hoping to defend their crown after winning in 2015. Shabnam Younus-Jewell is joined by former England 7’s player and broadcaster, Rob Vickerman, and editor of World Rugby, Sarah Mockford, to discuss all the key talking points ahead of the tournament. We’ll chat about New Zealand, Australia, England, Wales and the world number one team, Ireland.Former South Africa international Thinus Delport joins us to chat about the Springboks' hopes of winning the trophy and he discusses the recent passing of his friend and former teammate, Chester Williams – who was the only black player in South Africa’s 1995 World Cup-winning squad. Plus, Namibia coach Phil Davies tells us about their preparations ahead of a very tough group that includes both New Zealand and South Africa!Photo: New Zealand celebrate winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup (Getty Images)