The Human Race: Lifecycle of an Athlete

In this four part series, broadcast on the BBC World Service to mark the 2012 Olympic Games, Claudia travels to Kenya to meet the children running to school, who hope to become the stars of the future, to Jamaica to meet the sprinters already breaking world records, and to Germany to ask how technological innovation can give sportspeople that extra edge over the competition. Finally, she asks what happens to the body of an athlete when it’s time to retire.

The Human Race: Lifecycle of an Athlete

In this four part series, broadcast on the BBC World Service to mark the 2012 Olympic Games, Claudia travels to Kenya to meet the children running to school, who hope to become the stars of the future, to Jamaica to meet the sprinters already breaking world records, and to Germany to ask how technological innovation can give sportspeople that extra edge over the competition. Finally, she asks what happens to the body of an athlete when it’s time to retire.

Kenyan children exercising

Episode 1

Distance runners in Kenya and divers in the UK

Runners on an athletics track

Episode 2

Jamaica, the sprint capital of the world

A shot putter

Episode 3

The science providing an extra competitive edge

A Jamaican athletics stadium

Episode 4

Life after a career in elite sport

Kenyan children exercising

Episode 1

Distance runners in Kenya and divers in the UK

Runners on an athletics track

Episode 2

Jamaica, the sprint capital of the world

A shot putter

Episode 3

The science providing an extra competitive edge

A Jamaican athletics stadium

Episode 4

Life after a career in elite sport