Episode 111

Selection frustration and a lack of support - Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith, Team GB Badminton

Published on: 28th June, 2021

Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith have been named for Team GB in the mixed badminton, with Lauren also in the women's doubles for Tokyo. However Lauren is upset at the way she feels the players have been treated during a controversial selection process and feels they have not been given the support they need. Marcus won bronze at the Rio Games and was disappointed not to be selected with his partner Chris Langridge this time.I address this with Lauren's instagram statement.

Our interview was recorded at Kitting Out a few days before selection - so we touch on the more general points about the last few months and selection for the mixed doubles.

Marcus and Lauren have been contributing to this podcast since January, when they reported from a lockdown hotel in Bangkok.

They talk about their final preparations for the Olympics and what it's like to play at the Games...along with Lauren's love of the selfie in the Olympic Village.

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About the Podcast

Destination Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic stories in the run up to the Tokyo Games.
I’ve covered 5 Olympic and 5 Paralympic Games at home and abroad. Tokyo 2020 was to have been numbers 6. So how are the athletes preparing during Covid times. And what are they learning in the run up to the Games. The Podcast lasts around 10 mins and comes out daily, Monday to Friday. I’m also using it to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Centres to thank them for the help they’ve given my wife and family during her bowel cancer journey.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo
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About your host

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Mark Shardlow

Hi - I'm Mark, a Sports Journalist specialising in Olympic and Paralympic Sports. I also help others podcast.