Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis is the biggest star in athletics. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships, he produced one of the year's greatest moments of sporting theatre as he broke the world record for the 14th time in his career. But how did he come to dominate the event to such an extent?

In the latest instalment of our look back at 2025, Ed Harry and Ade Adedoyin discuss Duplantis's astonishing rise, and revisit an interview they conducted with Mondo and his father, Greg, back in 2019. It's a candid insight into the making of one of the biggest personalities, and most extraordinary talents, in world sport.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Victor Wembanyama is arguably the hottest property in basketball right now. The San Antonio Spurs centre was top pick in the 2023 NBA draft, then named Rookie of the Year in 2024, and helped France win silver at the 2024 Olympics.

Part of what makes him an extraordinary athlete is his size. He's officially listed as seven foot five inches tall - but some reports say that, at the age of 21, he's still growing taller. Will that prove to be an advantage for his career, or could it put him at greater risk of injury?

We continue our look back at some of our favourite episodes from 2025 by revisiting Mani Djazmi's conversation with NBA physiotherapist Alex Hubelbank about the physical challenges faced by taller athletes, and how medical staff help keep NBA stars healthy. He also hears from BBC Sport writer Jonty Coleman, who explains why Wembanyama has made such a huge impression in such a short time.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

In 2025, Esme Morgan and Ashleigh Plumptre both tasted victory at two of the biggest tournaments in women's football. Morgan helped England win back-to-back European Championships, while Plumptre was part of the Nigeria side that beat host nation Morocco to lift the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the 10th time.

As we continue our look back at highlights from 2025, Lee James revisits Morgan and Plumptre's conversation about their team's respective victories.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Cecilia Braekhus retired from boxing in 2025 at the age of 44, after defeating Ema Kozin to become a two-weight world champion. She won 39 of her 42 professional contests in a career stretching back to 2007, and spent more than a decade as the undisputed world welterweight champion - but it's her achievements outside the ring that may be even more impressive. For much of her career, she wasn't allowed to fight in her home country of Norway, where professional boxing had been banned since 1981, but her successes overseas played a part in that law being overturned in 2014.

As we look back on some of our favourite episodes from 2025, we revisit Cecilia's interview with Kal Sajad, where she looked back on how she fought for her right to step into the ring. Plus, fellow two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas joins John Bennett and Ade Adedoyin to discuss Braekhus's legacy in the sport.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

In October, Flavor Flav, the co-founder of Grammy-winning hip hop group Public Enemy, announced he had agreed to be the official hypeman for the US bobsleigh and skeleton teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. As we look back on our favourite episodes from 2025, we revisit his conversation with Clare Williamson, where he explained what drew him to the sport, and what it felt like to take to the sliding track himself.

Plus, two-time Winter Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller tells Mani Djazmi that having a hype man in Milan and Cortina can only be a good thing for the Games and winter sport as a whole, while Steve Bunce explains how hype has been an integral part of boxing for decades, and looks back at the role hypeman Drew Bundini Brown played in the rise of Muhammad Ali.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

2025 was the year that Cristiano Ronaldo became the first billionaire footballer. As we look back on our favourite conversations from the past year, we're revisiting a chat with Sam Carp, head of editorial at SportsPro, a company that produces an annual list of the 50 most marketable athletes in sport. Ade Adedoyin and John Bennett find out what makes some athletes more lucrative than others, and what qualities get the attention of audiences and advertisers.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Before the Shanghai Masters tournament in October, Valentin Vacherot was the 204th ranked men's tennis player in the world. He'd never won a title on the main ATP tour, and had only played one Grand Slam match in his career.

Then, over the course of a week, his entire career changed. He recorded victories over some of the world's top players - including Novak Djokovic - before reaching the final, where he faced a man he knows better than anyone else on tour: his own cousin, Arthur Rinderknech.

As we continue our look back at 2025, Ade Adedoyin revisits his interview with Valentin after his biggest victory, and BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller shares his thoughts on what Vacherot's future might hold.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from tennis to football, boxing to bobsleigh, and rugby league to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

We're looking back at some of the most memorable stories from More than the Score in 2025, starting with Jamie Lawrence, who aged 22 was serving his second prison sentence. His future prospects looked bleak, until he was given an unexpected opportunity - and eventually worked his way to becoming a Premier League footballer.

Jamie talks to us about how he turned his life around, and his plans to turn his story into a movie - though he’s had to rule out Denzel Washington portraying him.

The BBC’s John Bennett, Katie Smith and Ronald Young Jr from NPR discuss Jamie's story, tales of sporting redemption and just what makes a good sports movie.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Ivory Coast, Manchester City and Barcelona legend Yaya Toure chats at length with the BBC’s Kelly Somers about his upbringing and leaving Africa, his playing career and his coaching ambitions.

Ed Harry is also joined by George Addo to discuss what Toure means to Africa, the possibility of Toure managing his nation one day and the prospect of success for Ivory Coast at Afcon 2025.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul in Miami is arguably the biggest fight of its kind. Other similar profile bouts involving Paul have seen the former Disney star take on the likes of ex UFC fighter, Nate Diaz, and the then 58-year-old former boxing heavyweight World Champion, Mike Tyson. The fight in Miami, however, is a professional fight sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission.

Joshua tells Ade Adedoyin that he respects Paul for choosing to step in the ring with him but has rejected suggestions he'll attempt to carry the American to give the public a show. Paul says the British boxer is stiff and it is he who is the better boxer.

Mikaela Mayer - a three-weight world champion - explains to Maz Farookhi why Paul could surprise a few people and may one day be considered a boxing pioneer by introducing the sport to new audiences.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Dancing with the Stars, or Strictly Come Dancing in the UK, is a global TV phenomenon. Since 2004, the format that challenges professional dancers to turn celebrities into ballroom champions has been exported to more than 60 territories worldwide, and sports stars have been a huge part of the show's success. Athletes like Darren Gough, Shawn Johnson, Apolo Anton Ohno and Louis Smith have all triumphed underneath the glitterball, but there have been plenty of others who've struggled to translate their sporting prowess into dance stardom. So what does it take to teach a champion athlete to dance?

Raimondo Todaro is a five-time champion on Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars, whose victorious partners have included world champion long jumper Fiona May, Olympic fencing champion Elisa di Francisca and Paralympic sprinter Giusy Versace. He tells John Bennett why he prefers working with athletes to other types of celebrities, and what it takes for them to adapt to new ways of moving their bodies. He also recalls what happened when football legend Diego Maradona took part in the show's first season.

Annika Sjöö faced one of the most unusual challenges of her career on the third season of Swedish TV show Let's Dance, when she was paired with former World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Samuelsson - but they went on to lift the title. She explains how she helped him adapt to an environment unlike anything he'd previously experienced, and reveals what it's like to get lifted in the air by someone who's more used to picking up cars and boulders.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The next men’s Africa Cup of Nations, or Afcon, starts on 21 December in Morocco. The tournament has been moved around the calendar to avoid clashes with other competitions, including Fifa’s inaugural Club World Cup – while in many major media outlets, Afcon is often talked about in terms of how it affects African players’ availability for European club sides. Some pundits have also argued that performances at Afcon aren’t given the same weight as those at equivalent continental championships, like the Euros or the Copa America. But with the tournament set to feature many of the world’s leading players, including Mo Salah, Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi, is football guilty of disrespecting Africa’s most prestigious trophy?

Ugandan football journalist Usher Komigusha argues that perceptions of African football have hugely changed among football fans around the world, but administrative and scheduling issues continue to cause problems for the tournament’s image – and points out that, though the location for the 2027 Afcon is confirmed, the actual dates are still to be announced.

Patrick Suffo was part of the Cameroon side that triumphed at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring a penalty in the decisive shootout against Senegal. He says that, despite playing a big part in the careers of some of football’s most celebrated players, coverage of Afcon can still sometimes have a condescending tone. He also thinks European clubs who spend big money on African talent shouldn’t feel aggrieved when they go to play for their international sides.

The BBC’s John Bennett also speaks to former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya, who was part of the Zambian squad that stunned the continent by reaching the final of the 1994 tournament. He’s saddened that questions about Afcon’s importance in world football are still being asked, and says the sport’s governing bodies need to treat the tournament with the same seriousness as equivalent competitions.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked women's tennis player in the world, and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios are set to face off in an exhibition match in Dubai on 28 December. It's being promoted as a "battle of the sexes", more than 50 years after Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs' historic match - though King has said this match has little in common with the original encounter.

The BBC's Jonathan Jurejko speaks to both Sabalenka and Kyrgios ahead of the match about why they've signed up to face each other, and about the controversy it's stirred up - particularly given incidents from Kyrgios's past. He also talks to Mani Djazmi about the context surrounding the game, and what it might mean for the sport's public image.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

After becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the world, padel has set its sights on becoming an Olympic sport.

It's played with a racket and is often described as a mix of tennis and squash.  It has surged in popularity in recent years with more than 30 million players worldwide. It also has plenty of celebrity fans - including Serena Williams, Mohamed Salah and David Beckham.   Marta "Martita" Ortega is a top 10 player and former world number one who rose to the top of the sport whilst studying medicine in Madrid. She tells Lee James how the game continues to grow and why competing at an Olympic Games would be a dream come true.   President of the International Padel Federation (FIP), Luigi Carraro, explains their ambitions and what makes the sport unique.   More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.   And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Hurricane Melissa - one of the strongest to ever hit the Caribbean - made landfall in Jamaica on 28 October. At its peak, it sustained winds of 298 kph, resulting in dozens of deaths across the region. It brought powerful winds and landslides to Cuba and Haiti. Jamaica was among the islands worst affected. The country’s authorities say the hurricane killed 45 people, and the World Bank estimates that it caused more than $8 billion of damage on the island. Several of the country's most famous sporting names have been working as part of recovery efforts across the country. The BBC's Anne Soy speaks to former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, who says he's been shocked by what he's witnessed. He explains why the level of destruction was something he never expected to see on the island, and talks about the work he and other athletes, including Noah Lyles, have been doing to help people and communities rebuild in the aftermath. He also share his thoughts on what more needs to be done. We're also joined from Kingston by journalist Kayon Raynor, who says parts of the island look as though a bomb was dropped on them. He talks about why, more than six weeks later, many people are still trying to get access to basic utilities. He also explains how famous names, including Usain Bolt and Shelley-Ann Fraser Pryce, have helped contribute to recovery efforts. More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Olivia Reeves is the Olympic weightlifting champion doing the heavy lifting to make her sport more accessible. She became the first American woman in twenty-four years to win an Olympic Gold medal in weightlifting when she topped the podium at the Paris Games. However, there's much more to the 22-year-olds story than athletic excellence as the woman from Tennessee is opening her sport up to people who want to try it but were maybe a little too intimidated to do so. Reeves tells the BBC’s Katie Smith how she became Olympic weightlifting champion, how she developed a winning mindset and how her life has changed since winning Gold in France.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from tennis to football, boxing to bobsleigh, and rugby league to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The PDC World Darts Championship begins on Thursday. With the meteoric rise of Luke Littler, the 18-year-old who’s swept to the top of the game, the sport’s popularity is at an all-time high – so where does it go from here?

Veteran sports promoter Barry Hearn is the head of Matchroom, the company that has overseen the darts boom since the early 1990s. He tells John Bennett how far the sport has come over the past three decades, and, as its premier tournament gets under way with its biggest-ever field, talks about how he’s looking to expand the game into brand new territory.

They’re joined by Gian van Veen, the 23-year-old Dutchman recently won the European Championship and claimed his second straight world youth title earlier this year. He is heading into the tournament as the 10th seed. He explains how the sport first drew him in as a nine-year-old, and talks about how far he might go this year.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Uganda have risen to sixth in netball's world rankings, and automatically qualified for the World Cup. Across the border in Tanzania, it's a different story. Though netball is widely played, their national team is currently ranked outside the world's top 50.

Former England international Maggie Birkinshaw is working to build the future of the Tanzanian game. She tells Sophia Hartley how she got involved, what she's doing to develop the country's grassroots netball scene, and where she wants the sport to go next.

They're joined by South African journalist Busisiwe Mokwena, who explains why Ugandan netball is going from strength to strength, and why they're not the only African team whose stock is rising.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from athletics to Formula 1, boxing to bobsleigh, and football to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

Driving a Formula One car is physically demanding. They can reach speeds of over 200mph miles per hour, and drivers can experience significant G-forces, with peaks often reaching 5 to 6 Gs during hard braking and cornering. In simple terms that means it can feel like you weigh five times your normal weight, and it can put the drivers under major physical strain. So how do drivers cope with the demands of an F1 season? Henry Howe has been the physical performance coach to Aston Martin driver, Lance Stroll, for four years. He tells Shourjo Sarkar how he prepares the Canadian for each race and the season ahead. F1 journalist, Inga Stracke, explains why driver fitness has been of great importance since the days of seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher. More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from tennis to football, boxing to bobsleigh, and rugby league to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

The draw for the 2026 World Cup is looming, and whether your nation is in it or not, most football fans will be watching avidly and plotting paths through the largest football tournament of all time. But what's it like for fans of countries who are appearing at the finals for the first time?

George Santos was a Cape Verde international between 2002-04, when they had only just competed in their first-ever World Cup qualifying campaign. Now that they've reached the finals for the first time in their history, he tells Mani Djazmi why it means so much to the country.

Journalist Carl Ruiter says the feeling is mutual in his native Curaçao. The Dutch Caribbean Island is home to 150,000 inhabitants, making them the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup. Carl explains why some Curaçaoans are willing to sell their house just so they can be at the greatest show on earth.

More than the Score is the BBC World Service's daily podcast exploring stories from all over the world of sport. Every Monday to Friday, we're telling stories beyond the scoreline, from tennis to football, boxing to bobsleigh, and rugby league to the NFL. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like pole vault titan Mondo Duplantis, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from top football scouts to physios who keep NBA stars in peak condition. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.

And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore