EUROSPORT CELEBRATES SPORT’S GREATEST PIONEERS WITH EXCLUSIVE TRAILBLAZERS SERIES

They are the human beings that helped shape the world we live in today, the athletes that have single-handedly created some of the most defining moments in recent history. Trailblazers, a Eurosport original short film series, shines a light on the world’s greatest sporting icons who did more than just win but also pioneered change in society.

Premiering on 5 February, each of the ten episodes will harness Eurosport’s rich archive of world-class sports content and photography, allied with contemporary interviews, fresh insights and engaging animations to tell the stories of sport that matter to fans everywhere.

The inspiring actions of sporting heroes will be told like never before with biweekly episodes documenting world-changing moments including Jesse Owens’ Olympic triumphs in Nazi Germany, Arthur Ashe’s battles on and off the court and Colin Kaepernick’s courageous stance against racial inequality and police brutality. Tennis icon Serena Williams will headline the series premiere to coincide with the start of the Australian Open.

Eurosport, Discovery’s leading multi-sport brand, will employ a digital-first approach to ensure fans everywhere can watch whenever they choose. Each six-minute film will be available on-demand with English, French, German, Spanish and Italian subtitles via the Eurosport App, YouTube and Facebook and selected clips also offered via Twitter and Instagram. Launching in more than 25 markets in 2021, Discovery’s global streaming product discovery+ will also house episodes as part of the integration of Eurosport’s world-class channels and content in selected markets.   

Scott Young, Senior Vice President, Production and Content at Eurosport, said: “Icons who competed for equality and inspired meaningful change for future generations are pioneers that transcend their sport. Trailblazers celebrates these sporting heroes as part of our ambition to connect new audiences with Eurosport’s mission that seeks to unlock the power of sport and raise greater awareness of important issues in all our communities.”

“We’ve partnered with Refresh Sports and their network of incredibly talented writers, producers, designers and directors to create this unique series in our effort to identify and present a broader and more diverse set of storytellers for our content, opening up new perspectives, stories and audiences. This coupled with our deep sports expertise, unrivalled archive and ability to create innovative programming will ensure fans are brought closer to their heroes than ever before to help truly convey the significance of their achievements through engaging, authentic and original content.”

Trailblazers sees Eurosport collaborate with Refresh Sports, a Black owned production company, to engage with a unique team of content creators to authentically convey real life stories in a creative way. Accomplished filmmaker and broadcaster Leon Mann is known for his critically acclaimed sport documentaries including Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Who Has Ever Lived. He also founded Refresh Sports and the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS), which works to raise awareness of greater diversity in the media industry and brings his experience collaborating with the biggest names and networks in sport to Eurosport’s Trailblazers as Executive Producer.

The series is also produced, written and directed exclusively for Discovery’s platforms by Drew Christie, who’s work includes producing and directing the world’s greatest sporting events including the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and is narrated by TRT World Sport Anchor, Turkey’s number one English language news channel, Samantha Johnson. Trailblazers also benefits from the creative experience of Motion Designer Jesse Malisa and Illustrator Zemeka Clarke who help bring to life sport’s greatest moments for new audiences everywhere.      

The full schedule of episodes and athletes featured includes:

5 February – Serena Williams

Still leading, still campaigning, looking to add to a record seventh Australian Open this month.

22 February – Greg Louganis

Few athletes in the history of the Olympic Games bounced back from such a troubled childhood to reach the heights of athletic achievement quite like the American diver.

8 March – Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens became a sporting legend for his achievements at the 1936 Berlin Games.

22 March – Cathy Freeman

Australian sprinter who excelled in the 400m dash and who in 2000 became the first Aboriginal Australian person to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

5 April – Arthur Ashe

Ashe was the first black player selected for the US Davis Cup team and the only black man ever to win singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open.

19 April – Nawal El Moutawakel 

The Moroccan hurdler made history in 1984 as the first female, African and Muslim Olympic medallist.

3 May – Gino Bartali

The Italian cycling legend won the Tour de France twice either side of World War Two and used his sporting fame to help save the lives of many Jewish people.

17 May – Althea Gibson

Gibson became the first great African American player in women’s tennis, winning five Grand Slam singles titles in her career.

31 May – Billie-Jean King

‘Battle of the sexes’ equality and justice pioneer, King also achieved four women’s singles titles at the US Open.

14 June – Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick is an American civil rights activist and American Football quarterback, playing six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. He gained recognition for kneeling during the national anthem at the start of NFL games in protest of police brutality and racial inequality in the USA. 

About the team behind Trailblazers:

Leon Mann - Executive Producer

Founder of Refresh Sports – a Black owned production company. Filmmaker, broadcaster and campaigner. Leon has made and also fronted documentaries for BBC and ITV, as well as made a name for himself as one of the world’s leading equality campaigners in football and the sports media. He founded the Black Collective of Media in Sport in 2009 and the Football Black List in 2008.

Drew Christie – Series Producer, Director and Writer

Former BBC Sport and Abu Dhabi Sport. TV and video producer of major events for UK and Middle East broadcasters.

Jesse Malisa – Motion Designer

Experienced Motion graphics designer and animator. Credits include: The Housing Enforcers (BBC One); Chopping Block, Virgin Driving School, Ibiza Weekender (all ITV); Five Star Hotel, Beat the Chef (both Channel 4). 

Zemeka Clarke: Illustrator

One of the brightest young design talents in the country who has worked with Twitter and Sky Sports, Zem, is still early in her journey in the media industry but has made an impact with her work.

Samantha Johnson: Narrator

Samantha is a highly respected journalist, sports correspondent and news anchor currently working for TRT World’s Beyond the Game in Istanbul. Named in 2016’s Football Black List of influential figures in football, she has gained experience in previous roles with Sky Sports and Al Jazeera Sport and continues to campaign for equality within the sports media industry.