Will the Olympics Finally Protect Women's Sport? / Anti-Doping Antagonism and The Enhanced Games / Bracy-Williams Banned

Will the Olympics Finally Protect Women's Sport? / Anti-Doping Antagonism and The Enhanced Games / Bracy-Williams Banned

Author: Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch November 14, 2025 Duration: 52:29

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In today's show, we run the Spotlight over news stories from the past week, including:


  • 4:32. The International Olympic Committee are reportedly going to move to protect women's sport by preventing trans identified males and athletes with DSDs from competing in women's sport. Will this come to pass? We discuss reports on the shift in policy, and raise some key questions. Will the IOC compel screening for sex and testing for advantage? Will they include DSDs in the policy? Will sports be obliged to comply, or remain able to govern eligibility as they please?
  • 18:32. Antagonism in antidoping continues, with shots fired between WADA and USADA, this time over The Enhanced Games. WADA think USADA should be doing more to stop the Games, but USADA say they have no authority to act. We discuss their remits, and the damaging mistrust that now exists between them. We also talk about the threat of the Enhanced Games, and USADA's perceptions of why athletes are joining "the doping Olympics"
  • 28:59. Staying on doping, US Sprinter Marvin Bracy-Williams has been banned for 45 months. The 2022 100m silver medalist got a reduced sentence for co-operation, and we wonder what he shared with authorities, and whether the investigative approach will produce future sanctions?
  • 34:09. Chinese teen prodigy Yu Zidi has continued her ascent to the summit of swimming, with a 200m individual medley record that puts her into the conversation for future world and Olympic medalists. We wonder what her trajectory looks like, using a previous Chinese teen phenom to offer a dose of reality.
  • 42:18. And Finally, tennis, with another "battle of the sexes" match in December between Aryna Sabelenka and Nick Kyrgios, with a few modifications to neutralize men's power. We talk about those changes, then finish up with a quirky look at the men's tennis rankings that reflect the extraordinary dominance of the current top two.


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Ever wondered what actually happens inside an athlete's body during a marathon, or whether the latest training trend is backed by evidence? The Real Science of Sport Podcast cuts through the noise with a unique blend of academic rigor and frontline reporting. Professor Ross Tucker, a world-renowned sports scientist, and veteran journalist Mike Finch form an engaging partnership, dissecting everything from athletics and rugby to soccer and cycling. Each episode feels like a deep, insightful conversation where complex research is translated into understandable takeaways, myths are debunked, and heated controversies are examined from all angles. You’ll hear them analyze the latest studies, extract practical lessons from professional athletes and coaches, and speak directly with leading global experts in exclusive interviews. This isn't just sports talk; it's a thoughtful exploration of the mechanisms, psychology, and culture behind performance and competition. For anyone with a curious mind and a passion for sport, this podcast offers a consistently fascinating look at the real stories behind the headlines and the physiology beneath the jersey.
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