The BBC is now offering ‘The Winners’, a 6 episode series around the Olympics. Six women athletes tell the stories of how they came to excel at their sport; and the obstacles, challenges, failures and triumphs they experienced on that journey. The series will replace The Essential at 11:23 – 11:29a ET during the following dates.

Episode 1: Brazilian surfer Silvana Lima – Tuesday 28 June
Despite being the best female surfer in Brazil, Silvana Lima was refused sponsorship deals because she wasn’t considered sufficiently good-looking.

Episode 2: Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar – Monday 4 July
When Dipa Karmakar competed in her first gymnastics competition, she did so without shoes and borrowed an oversized, ill-fitting costume. Part of the Winners series looking at women who overcame challenges to excel.

Episode 3: Ukrainian weightlifter Yulia Kalina  – Monday 11  July
Despite becoming a mother at 15 years old, Ukraine’s Yulia Kalina is now one of the world’s best weightlifters.

Episode 4: Vietnamese Paralympian swimmer Triinh Thi Bich Nhu – Monday 18 July
Disabled by polio at three years old, Triinh Thi Bich Nhu was resigned to a sheltered life in a rural village in Vietnam – until she discovered swimming.

Episode 5: Egyptian Pentathlete – Monday 25 July
Egyptian Muslim balances the needs of her religion and her sport

Episode 6: American cyclist Ayesha McGowan – Monday 1 August
Ayesha McGowan hopes to be the first African American professional female road cyclist.

Broadcast times: Mondays 11:23 – 11:29 ET
First Aired: June 28, 2016
Number of episodes: 6
Broadcast window:  June 28 – August 6
Program duration:  5 minutes 30 seconds
Download availability on www.bbc.co.uk/partners: June 28 – August 6

All 6 programs are available now to download from www.bbc.co.uk/partners/english/programme-series/the-winners