Orla Chennaoui: The power of being authentic as a woman reporting sport

S10 Ep 5

Orla Chennaoui is an extraordinary woman who has many talents including being a multilingual TV sports presenter.

Having worked at Sky News and Sky Sports, Orla is now a Lead Presenter for Eurosport, working across cycling, MotoGP and the Olympics.

With her background in hard-news and investigations, Orla has always had an open and frank approach to sports reporting whether that’s in front of the camera or hosting podcasts and writing regular columns for Rouleur magazine and the Metro newspaper. 

Amongst her many accolades Orla’s also just been nominated as sports presenter of the year at the Sports Journalists Awards 2022.

In this fascinating episode we explore Orla’s work as a broadcaster, including her move from news to sports presenting, the perception of female broadcasters and why it’s been so important that she retains her authentic style on screen.

Ahead of a massive summer for women’s cycling with the Tour de France Femmes in July, we discuss the growth in coverage and whether cycling needs to be re-packaged to attract new audiences.  

Orla talks openly about why she stopped drinking, as she, and podcast host Sue Anstiss, celebrate the huge positives of living a life without alcohol.  

With thanks to Sport England who support The Game Changers through the National Lottery.

Host: Sue Anstiss 

Executive Producer: Sam Walker, What Goes on Media

Sound Production: Rory Auskerry 

A Fearless Women production