Category Archives: Uncategorized

“Out On The Ice” concludes with the story of Adam Rippon, the first out skater to represent the US at the Olympics, and a new generation of queer skaters determined to change the culture of their sport. ARI SAPERSTEIN (host) (host): Hey everyone — this is the third and final episode of a three-part storyContinue reading “OUT ON THE ICE: PART THREE”

For decades, skaters have been pushed to play into narrow gender stereotypes on and off the ice, leaving LGBTQ+ athletes feeling like being themselves wasn’t an option –– but not everyone was going to stay silent. ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone — this is the second episode of a three-part story we’re calling “Out OnContinue reading “OUT ON THE ICE: PART TWO”

From the outside, figure skating might look like a queer haven, a space where LGBTQ+ athletes can be out and open… but inside of the sport? That couldn’t be farther from the reality. ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone –– my name is Ari Saperstein and I’m the host of Blind Landing.  If you haven’t heardContinue reading “OUT ON THE ICE: PART ONE”

When it comes to addressing the safety concerns gymnasts have about competitions, there are structures in place to help gymnasts be heard… but are these structures working? Can they work? ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone, this is the second half of our story about safety in gymnastics. If you haven’t heard part one, go backContinue reading “A LOOK AT SAFETY IN GYMNASTICS: PART TWO”

We spoke with Olympic gymnasts from around the world about the current state of safety at competitions. Twenty years after the Sydney vault controversy, things have changed. And not necessarily for the better. ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone. Ari here.  So a few months ago, my producers and I released a five-part miniseries about women’sContinue reading “A LOOK AT SAFETY IN GYMNASTICS: PART ONE”

On the final episode of Blind Landing, British gymnast Lisa Mason reflects on the culture she trained in. Elise and Allana discuss the impact that the Sydney Olympics had on their lives. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone — this is a serialized story, so if you haven’t listened from the beginning, go backContinue reading “THE VAULT: PART FIVE”

Romanian gymnast Maria Olaru discusses how the vault problem might have been stopped before it even started. Olympic officials explain what was happening behind the scenes. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone — this is a serialized story, so if you haven’t listened from the beginning, go back to Episode One and start fromContinue reading “THE VAULT: PART FOUR”

The officials tried to solve the vault problem. Their decision had major consequences for everyone in the arena — but no one more so than the frontrunner, Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina.  Episode transcript ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone — this is a serialized story, so if you haven’t listened from the beginning, go back to EpisodeContinue reading “THE VAULT: PART THREE”

The story of the 2000 women’s gymnastics all-around final picks up with Australian gymnast Allana Slater. In the midst of the competition, Allana realized that it was no coincidence gymnasts were falling on vault.  EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): Hey everyone — this is a serialized story, so if you haven’t listened from the beginning,Continue reading “THE VAULT: PART TWO”

Elise Ray, America’s top gymnast, qualified for the 2000 Olympics with big dreams — but during the all-around final, high expectations clashed with reality and came crashing down. Literally. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ARI SAPERSTEIN (host): In gymnastics, there are two kinds of landings — ones you can spot and ones that are blind. When doing aContinue reading “THE VAULT: PART ONE”