Art of the Athlete is a biography series that explores the choices, challenges and achievements of world-class athletes. Each episode paints a unique portrait of one remarkable individual by digging deep into his or her history, passions and motivation. We'll explore their earliest influences, from childhood teachers to high school coaches. We'll talk to family members and friends, and trace the course of their careers from high school to college to the pros.
Remind Me!*
Best of Art of the Athlete
2 Hour Special!
Going for Gold (Thursday, June 15 at 8 p.m. )
Speed skater Dan Jansen. Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. Skier Jonny Moseley. Basketball player Dawn Staley- all gold medal winners. Each one, overcoming challenges in their quest for victory. Dan Jansen triumphed over a family tragedy and three disappointing winter games before winning a gold during one of the most memorable scenes in sports history. Kristi Yamaguchi skated to gold despite being born with malformed feet. Jonny Moseley chose athletic integrity over his chance for a second gold medal. And Dawn Staley was a short girl from a tough neighborhood trying to compete in a sport where height matters. Share their pain and triumph on this special episode of Art of the Athlete.
Beating the Odds (Thursday, June 15 at 9 p.m.)
Tennis superstar Martina Navratilova. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. Marathon swimmer Diana Nyad. NBA All Star Chris Webber. All elite athletes -- each one struggling to beat the odds before reaching the top of their game. Martina grappled with the decision to abandon her family in Czechoslovakia and fought prejudice against her lifestyle. Steve Young had to prove himself against two of the best quarterbacks of his time. Diana Nyad overcame abuse as a child before setting a world record in marathon swimming. And Chris Webber had to put behind him one of the biggest blunders in sports history. Find out what makes these athletes tick and what drives them to be among the best in a special episode of Art of the Athlete.
George Hincapie (Premieres Thursday, Jan. 12)
One of the best cyclists in the world, George Hincapie is the only teammate who rode alongside Lance Armstrong for all seven of his Tour de France victories. We visit George at his home in Greenville, S.C., on "George Hincapie Day," when the town throws a party and parade to honor George and his most recent Tour de France win; attended by a surprise guest! We'll meet his family and find out what sparked George's passion for cycling. We'll also reveal how George trains to be among the best of the world's elite cyclists. And we'll see what life out of the limelight is like as he shares his off-road time at home with family and friends.
Kristi Yamaguchi (Premieres Thursday, Jan. 19)
She personifies grace and beauty, and she's an Olympic gold medalist! Meet Kristi Yamaguchi at her home in Raleigh, N.C., where she's hung up her ice skates and shifted to a new phase of life as a wife and mother. Born with a physical disability, Kristi traces her journey from childhood pairs skater to her solo moment on the Olympic podium. We'll hear how she got there, and how she overcame challenges along the way. We'll see personal moments with Kristi and husband Bret Hedican, a pro hockey player, with their daughter Keara --- both on the ice and off, as Kristi awaits the birth of her second child.
Jonny Moseley (Premieres Thursday, Jan. 26)
Young, good-looking, and charismatic, Jonny Moseley had already won one Olympic gold medal when he decided to sacrifice his chances for a second, bringing maverick determination and innovation to his mogul skiing. You'll get a firsthand look at the grueling training and commitment it took to win the 1998 Olympics and his journey back to the 2002 Games. Plus, we'll go behind the scenes of the celebrity and glamour that surround an Olympic win, how Jonny rode that crest of popularity, and then turned his back on it to resume a more normal life.
Steve Young (Premieres Thursday, Feb. 2)
Funny, charismatic and intelligent, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young talks candidly about his football career, how the game has shaped who he's become and why he pursued a law degree and athletic stardom at the same time. We learn about the "traumatizing" experience he had with his mother when he was 8 years old, the secret behind his desire to play with everything he had, his current and childhood heroes, and the woman who captured his heart and became his wife. Also, you'll get a sneak peek at what the NFL star is doing today.
Dan Jansen (Premieres Thursday, Feb. 9)
The story of speed skater Dan Jansen is America's story. An Olympic athlete in four different years, his best chance of winning the gold happened after he found out his beloved sister had died of leukemia. Dan failed to win that year, but Americans rejoiced with him when he was finally able to win his gold medal. We'll visit Dan at home in North Carolina to find out what he's doing now, his new career on the ice, and life with his family. You'll also get an inside look at a side of Dan you've never seen before as he lets his hair down and shows off a few cheerleading moves with his daughters!
Kyle Petty (Premieres Thursday, Feb. 16)
He could have been a baseball player, a football player or a country singer. Instead he chose to stay in the family business - auto racing. Meet Kyle Petty, third-generation racecar driver and a member of NASCAR royalty. Find out what it takes to skillfully drive at speeds over 200 mph, where a mistake could be the difference between life and death. Go behind the scenes for personal moments with Kyle and wife Pattie as they work to honor the memory of their son Adam, who was tragically killed in an auto racing accident.
Diana Nyad (Premieres Thursday, Feb. 23)
Imagine swimming in the ocean nonstop for nearly 30 hours and a distance of 102.5 miles. That's just one of the records that marathon swimmer Diana Nyad broke during her astounding career. Although she began competitive swimming in her youth, her hopes for an Olympic spot were dashed by a debilitating illness. Diana tells the story of her swimming career, the abuse she suffered as a child, and her courage in overcoming these challenges to become a world-class athlete and an inspiration to people around the world.
Dawn Riley (Premieres Thursday, March 9)
As a little girl, Dawn Riley didn't know women were not necessarily welcome in the world of competitive sailing. But that didn't stop this dynamo from trail-blazing her way into the sport, and becoming the first woman to crew for an America's Cup team. We catch Dawn during a brief stop back at home in the San Francisco area while she checks in on her nonprofit organization, America True. And we'll take the journey back in time with her to find out what has made this sailor such a successful pioneer.
Dominique Dawes (Premieres Thursday, March 16)
Known by her coach and teammates as "Awesome Dawesome," Dominique Dawes was a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team that took the gold medal in Atlanta. She first entered the gym when she was six years old, began competing when she was ten, and at age 11 made the decision to move away from home to live with her coach. At age 15, she became the first African American female gymnast to represent the United States in Olympic competition and the first to win a bronze medal. Hers is the story of a determined girl who overcame the odds and rose to the level of Olympian.
Chris Webber (Premieres Thursday, March 23)
As a college freshman, he was a member of the "Fab Five," the astoundingly precocious Michigan basketball players who brought hip-hop fashion and style onto the court with their baggy shorts and black shoes. As a sophomore, Chris Webber became famous for one of the biggest mistakes in NCAA history - - an ill-timed time-out call in the final seconds that cost his team the NCAA championship title. Now, with the Philadelphia 76ers, Chris gives us a behind-the-scenes look at life as an NBA player -- both on the road and at home. He talks about injuries, controversy and the things that matter, like family. We'll also get a rare look at Chris' talents as a musician.
Dawn Staley (Premieres Thursday, March 30)
Dawn Staley doesn’t like to sleep; she thinks she’ll miss something. That speaks volumes as we try to keep up with the hyper-focused, basketball-centric life of this Olympic gold medalist, WNBA champion and women’s basketball coach. Dawn has led her Temple University team to record-setting highs in consecutive wins and gone to the
A-10 championships two years in a row. We’ll join Coach Staley mid-season as she preps her Temple Owls to compete against Atlantic rival George Washington University. Plus, as she prepares for her last year with the Houston Comets, we'll look back at Dawn Staley’s incredible path from the tough streets of Philadelphia to playing professional ball.
Martina Navratilova (Premieres Thursday, April 6)
Intensity, drive, and focus can all be used to describe an athlete who needs only one name: Martina. Defecting to the United States from Czechoslovakia at age 18, Martina Navratilova completely changed the sport of tennis with her quickness, aggressive style, powerful physicality and fitness regime, creating the standard for today's players. You'll get a glimpse of Martina off the court in Aspen, Colorado–her winter home- as she talks about her childhood, her legendary rivalry with Chris Evert, her first retirement and comeback, as well as her secret to still being fit and able to play competitive tennis-- at age 49!
Greg Louganis (Premieres Thursday, June 8)
Greg Louganis is known as one of the best athletes in diving history, responsible for an indelible Olympic moment when he hit his head on the diving board and came back to win gold. But what the cheering crowds didn't know at the time was that he was HIV positive. Louganis struggled with challenges since birth; he was an adopted, biracial baby who later endured childhood taunts, dyslexia and an abusive father. In this episode, he shares his personal stories, photos and home movies, and talks about the extraordinary dedication and drive that earned him four gold medals and a place in Olympic diving history.
* Note: Dates are subject to change. Please check the TV Schedule for up-to-date information.
