Wired for Sport: All About Neurodiversity in Elite Athletes

Featuring interviews with footballers Lucy Bronze and Safia Middleton-Patel, tennis players Jenson Brooksby and Sam Smith, she learns about how many athletes are neurodivergent as well as adjustments and coaching. Katie is joined in the studio by neurodiversity sports journalist Nick Ransom, and speaks to founder of Neurodiverse Sport and former Olympic rower Caragh McMurtry as well as Jacob Kelly, the UK's first neurodiversity rugby coach. TIMECODES: 01:10 - Nick Ransom gives us a sense of what neurodiversity means. 08:00- Caragh McMurtry on her story and how Neurodiverse Sport started. 13:55 - England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze on her experience being autistic and living with ADHD. 21:45 - Wales and Manchester United goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel opens up about being diagnosed as autistic and the adaptations that have helped her. 37:00 - Katie, Caragh and Nick reflect on Safia’s interview at the adjustments that can help neurodivergent athletes. 40:26 - Tennis player Jenson Brooksby on his autism diagnosis and the impact it had on his career, on and off the court. 46:50 - Former British number one and tennis broadcaster Sam Smith on Jenson’s story and how she found out she was autistic. 53:50 - Jacob Kelly, the UK’s first neurodiversity rugby coach on tackling barriers and supporting neurodivergent players.

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Wired for Sport: All About Neurodiversity in Elite Athletes is an episode from 5 live Sport Specials by BBC.

This episode is 64:16 long.

This episode was published on Apr 22, 2025.

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