Sporting Witness

In the 1970s, the American transgender tennis player, Renee Richards, fought a long campaign for the right to play tournaments as a woman. Despite objections from fellow players and the tennis establishment, she was eventually allowed to play in the US Open. She shares her story with Ashley Byrne. (Photo: Renee Richards prepares for a forearm shot in a match at the professional womens tennis tournament in Seattle, 1978. She defeated Sue Mappin of England, 7-6, 5-1 (tiebreaker), 6-1. Credit: AP/Kerry Coughlin)

In 1955, tragedy struck the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race in Northern France when a car crashed into the crowd at more than 100 miles-per-hour. The accident killed 83 spectators and the driver, and led to an overhaul of safety rules in motor-racing. In 2010, Claire Bowes spoke to the American driver John Fitch, who took part in the race.PHOTO: The aftermath of the Le Mans disaster (AFP/Getty Images).

In 1956, the Manchester City goalkeeper, Bert Trautmann, became an FA Cup hero by breaking his neck at Wembley but playing on to the end of the final. Trautmann was a former Nazi paratrooper who adopted England as his home country after being taken prisoner during World War Two. Simon Watts introduces BBC archive recordings of Trautmann and speaks to Catrine Clay, author of Trautmann's Journey.(Photo: The injured Bert Trautmann at the end of the 1956 FA Cup Final. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 2004, the British wheelchair racer, Tanni Grey-Thompson, faced the toughest challenge of her career at the Paralympic Games in Athens. Suffering from a loss of form, the great champion was humiliated in her best event and had to go for glory in the 100-metre sprint. She tells Lucy Burns about the race and how becoming a mother gave her a fresh perspective on sport.(Photo: Tanni Grey-Thompson at the Athens Paralympics. Credit: Getty Images).

In 2000, the great Ethiopian distance runner, Haile Gebrselassie, won the Olympic 10,000 metres by a single second - beating his closest rival in the process. Gebrselassie, who announced his retirement in May 2015, describes the race to Fred Dove. The programme is a Whistledown Production and was first broacast in 2012.PHOTO: Haile Gebrselassie celebrates (Getty Images).

In May 1980, a match between Yugoslavia's top teams, Hajduk Split of Croatia and Red Star Belgrade of Serbia, was interrupted by the annoucement of the death of the dictator who had ruled the country since World War II. Players and fans from both teams burst into tears and left the stadium in silence. Barely a decade later, Yugoslavia collapsed, leaving Croats and Serbs on opposing sides of a bloody civil war. Robert Nicholson reports. A Whistledown Production.

In May 2000, the rising star of Nascar, Adam Petty, was killed in an accident on the track in New Hampshire. Petty was the fourth generation of one of the most famous dynasties in American motor sport. His father, Kyle Petty, talks to Simon Watts.(Photo: Adam Petty. Credit: Getty Images)

In 1976, the Cuban runner, Alberto Juantorena, pulled off a unique double at the Montreal Olympics - winning both the 400 and 800 metres. The victory made the athlete known as 'White Lightning' a hero on the Communist island. He talks to Will Grant.(Photo: Alberto Juantorena winning the 800 metres in 1976. Credit: Getty Images).

In 1991, the Hungarian chess prodigy, Judit Polgar, became the youngest Grandmaster ever at the age of 15. She speaks to Robert Nicholson about her unconventional childhood and how her extraordinary career defied expectations for female players.PHOTO: Judit Polgar (Associated Press).

In 1976, the Yale women's rowing team stripped naked to demand equal treatment for women's sport. The protest attracted national attention in the USA and helped force universities to make the same funding and facilities available to women athletes as to men. Catherine Davies talks to two of the Yale protestors, Christine Ernst and Ginny Gilder.(Photo: The 1976 Yale women's rowing team in action. Credit: Getty Images).

The crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between rivals Rwanda and Uganda. A match that had it all - amazing saves, ‘witchcraft’, a mass brawl and a goal that made history. Rob Walker reports.(Photo: Rwanda's forward Sinzey Sinda fights for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2004. Credit: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

In 1983, India beat the mighty West Indies to win the World Cup final at Lord's cricket ground. The unexpected victory put Indian one-day cricket on the map. David Prest talks to Indian bowler, Madan Lal.(Photo: The Indian team celebrate with the World Cup trophy. Credit: Getty Images).

In 1975, the playboy British motorcyclist Barry Sheene suffered the fastest crash in motorcyling history. Despite broken bones and internal injuries, he was back on his bike within weeks. Ashley Byrne reports. (Photo: Barry Sheene sitting on a motorbike. Credit: Getty Images)

In 1967, the Australian football team won their first international tournament - on a trip to Saigon at the height of the Vietnam War. The players survived gunfire, crowd trouble and monsoon conditions on their way to an unlikely win. Ashley Byrne speaks to former Australian footballers, Ray Baartz and Stan Ackerley. The programme is a Made in Manchester production.

In 1987, a group of Oxford University rowers led a famous rebellion against their coach, Dan Topolski. Despite the dissent, Topolski, who died on February 21st, managed to lead Oxford to an unlikely win. He spoke to Simon Watts before his death.PHOTO: Oxford University celebrate their victory in 1987 (Getty Images).

In 1967, the Yorkshire cyclist, Beryl Burton, set a world record in the 12 hour time trial that stands to this day. It was arguably the greatest in a long list of achievements which also included seven world championships and numerous British records. Many now consider Beryl Burton the best woman cyclist of all time. Kirsty McQuire, of Sparklab Productions, talks to Beryl's husband, Charlie, and cycling commentator, Phil Liggett.(Photo: Beryl Burton in action on the track. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 1975, teenage Californian Jeff Clark became the first person to surf the dangerous Mavericks waves near San Francisco. Nearly two decades later, the waves killed Mark Foo, one of the most famous surfers in the world, and gave the Mavericks a legendary reputation in the sport. Jeff Clark talks to Sporting Witness.(Photo: Waves. Credit: BBC)

In the 1960s, the Ghanaian football team dominated Africa, winning tournament after tournament. Known as the Black Stars, they were an exciting attacking force which President Kwame Nkrumah hoped would help promote African unity. But in 1965, the Ghanaians faced an uphill struggle in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunis.Their star striker, Osei Kofi, remembers the match for Witness.(Photo: Osei Kofi speaking to the BBC)

On New Year's Eve 1967, the Green Bay Packers played the Dallas Cowboys in one of the most famous games in American Football history. Played in Arctic temperatures, the match sealed the reputation of the Packers' coach, Vince Lombardi. Jonathan Fenton-Fischer talks to Packers' lineman, Jerry Kramer, and NFL commentator, Mike Carlson.(Photo: A Green Bay fan wearing the Packers' famous flying-cheese-wedge hat. Credit: Getty Images)

In 1988, two of the world's top figure-skaters, Brian Boitano of the USA and Brian Orser of Canada, fought out an epic contest at the Winter Olympics. Dubbed the "Battle of the Brians", the showdown was decided by the narrowest of margins and on the final dance. Kirsty Mcquire, of Sparklab Productions, talks to Brian Boitano for Sporting Witness.(Photo: Brian Boitano (centre) with Brian Orser (left) on the Olympic podium in 1988. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

In 1996, South Africa won the Africa Cup of Nations, bringing sporting joy to a country still recovering from apartheid. For the Bafana Bafana team, it was their first - and so far only - victory at an international football tournament. Sporting Witness speaks to two members of the multi-racial side, Phil Masinga and Mark Fish. Photo: South Africa captain, Neil Tovey, lifting the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 (Getty Images)

In 1959, the Harlem Globetrotters paid an unlikely Cold War visit to the Soviet Union. Their mixture of athleticism and American-style entertainment eventually won over basketball fans in Moscow and earned them hugs from Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev. Former Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon talks to Sporting Witness.(Photo: The Harlem Globetrotters arriving in Moscow in 1959. Credit: Harlem Globetrotters International)

In 1972, tiny Hereford United won one of the greatest FA Cup matches of all time, knocking out First Division Newcastle. The game featured two spectacular Hereford goals and three pitch invasions before ending in extra time. Sporting Witness speaks to Hereford goal-scorer, Ricky George, and to a lifelong fan. This programme was first broadcast in 2012.Picture: Hereford heroes Ronnie Radford and Ricky George (right), Credit: Press Association

In the opening game of the 1990 World Cup, rank outsiders Cameroon faced the reigning champions, Argentina - led by Diego Maradona. Few gave Cameroon a chance. Alex Last speaks to defender N'Dip Akem Victor about a defining game for African football. This programme was first broadcast in May 2014.Picture: Getty Images Sport.

In the 1950s, Angela Buxton and Althea Gibson formed a unique partnership in women's doubles. As a British Jew and an African-American respectively, both women had faced prejudice in their home countries, but in 1956 they pulled off a stunning win at Wimbledon. Angela Buxton talks to David Whitty.(Photo: Angela Buxton and Althea Gibson with their Wimbledon trophy. Credit: Getty Images).

In 1984, the Chicago Bulls picked arguably the greatest basketball player of all time in the NBA draft. Rod Thorn, the Bulls general manager, was the man who selected Jordan. He gives the inside story of the draft to Alex Capstick. PHOTO: Michael Jordan in action for the Chicago Bulls (Getty Images Sport).

Shaiza Khan and Kiran Baluch are two cricketers who pioneered the women's game in Pakistan - despite opposition and death threats from Islamist extremists. They went on to set world records in their sport and to become two of the first female members of the MCC.PHOTO: Kiran Baluch (personal collection).

In the 1980s, a Hawaiian-born wrestler took the traditional world of Japanese Sumo by storm. Known as The Dumptruck because of his huge size, he won legions of fans and paved the way for the internationalisation of the sport. The Dumptruck shares his love of Sumo - and Hawaiian hula music - with Sporting Witness.(Photo: The Dumptruck in his prime. Credit: Getty Images).

How Tegla Loroupe, an unknown Kenyan runner, became the first marathon champion from Africa, with an exceptionally fast finish. She tells us how a tough upbringing in the mountains of her homeland shaped her whole approach to breaking barriers.(Photo: Tegla Loroupe. Credit: Michael Loccisano/ Getty Images)

An insider's account of Pele's shock move to a soccer team in the United States in 1975. We hear from Clive Toye, the former General Manager of the New York Cosmos, who persuaded Pele to play football in the US.(Photo: Pele in action for NY Cosmos during an American Soccer League match. Credit: Getty Images/Allsport UK /Allsport)

In 1964, East German cyclist, Dieter Wiedemann, defected to the West to be with the woman he loved and to fulfil his dream of riding the Tour de France Photo: Dieter Wiedermann racing in the 1967 Tour de France (Credit: Dieter Wiedemann)

In the late 1970s, three black West Bromwich Albion players revolutionised English football. Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis had to face racist abuse, but won many fans thanks to their attacking flair. The three footballers even earned the affectionate nickname The Three Degrees, after a famous pop group of the time. The programme is a Whistledown Production and was first broadcast in 2012.PHOTO: Cyrille Regis (BBC)

In 1986, Bill Buckner of the Boston Red Sox made one of the most famous errors in baseball history. With his team about to claim their first victory for 68 years, Buckner let the ball slip between his legs on a crucial play. The misfield spelled defeat for the Red Sox and convinced many fans that their team was cursed. Will Yates talks to veteran Boston Globe sports reporter Dan Shaughnessy and to a Boston fan. The programme is a Whistledown Production.PHOTO: Bill Buckner (Getty Images).

In 1974, the British Lions rugby team made a famous and controversial tour of South Africa. As well as political controversy over Apartheid, the matches became legendary for their on-pitch violence and off-pitch partying. Alex Last talks to the Welsh winger, J.J WilliamsPHOTO: J.J Williams on the tour of South Africa (Getty Images Sport).

In 1948 at the 'austerity' Olympics, newly independent India won gold on the hockey pitch. One of the stars of the Indian team was Balbir Singh.(Photo: Balbir Singh scoring a goal against Great Britain. Credit: AP Images)

In 1991, the best golfers from the USA and Europe went head-to-head in one of the most bitter confrontations in the history of the Ryder Cup. Played shortly after the First Gulf War, some of the European team objected to the militaristic and fiercely partisan atmosphere encouraged by their American hosts. The tension spilled over into the tournament itself, which was decided on the last hole. Will Yates speaks to golfers Hale Irwin and Paul Broadhurst.(Photo: Getty Images)

In 1988, the Canadian sprinter was disqualified 48 hours after winning the Olympic 100 metre final and setting a new world record. It was one of the biggest doping scandals in the history of sport. Simon Watts introduces Ben Johnson interviews from the BBC archives.

In 1967, the Scottish football team travelled to Wembley to play England, then the holders of the World Cup. In a match that would become legendary in Scotland, the visitors won 3-2 and taunted the English in the final few minutes of the game by playing keepy-uppy. David Whitty talks to Jim McCalliog, scorer of the winning Scottish goal.(Photo: Jim McCalliog beats English goal-keeper, Gordon Banks. Credit: Getty Images)

In the summer of 1968, the South-African-born batsman put in a match-winning performance for England in a test match at the Oval. The ensuing row over whether Basil D'Oliveira should be picked for a tour of his country of birth led to the 25-year sporting isolation of apartheid South Africa. Sporting Witness speaks to D'Oliveira's England colleague, Norman Gifford, and his biographer, Peter Oborne.PHOTO: Getty Images.

In the summer of 1968, the first games for athletes with intellectual disabilities was held in Chicago. They were promoted by the Kennedy family, one of whom had learning difficulties. Sporting Witness talks to Frank Olivo, who won the 50-yard race, and Anne Burke, a Chicago schoolteacher who helped organise the event.Picture: Members of the US Special Olympic team (Private Collection)

In 1992, newly independent Lithuania managed to get its basketball team into the Barcelona Olympics after American rock band Grateful Dead agreed to help with fundraising. A brilliant generation of Lithuanian players then won a bronze medal in a grudge match against the former Soviet Union. Witness speaks to Arvydas Sabonis and Gintaras Krapikas, two members of the Lithuanian side.With contributions from journalist Ramunas BogdanasPicture: The Lithuanian team in their Grateful Dead shirts, Credit: Getty Images Sports Classic

In 1978, a US naval officer and his wife invented an extreme form of triathlon which is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Called Ironman, John and Judy Collins' creation consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride and a 26.2 mile running marathon. They talk to Ashley Byrne about how the event was first launched in Hawaii. The programme is a Made in Manchester Production for BBC World Service.Picture: A recent edition of Ironman in Hawaii, Credit: Getty Images

In 1979, a freak storm hit a prestigious ocean race in the Irish Sea, killing 15 sailors and 3 rescuers. Matthew Sheehan tells Sporting Witness how hurricane-force winds engulfed his yacht as it headed towards the Fastnet rock, killing his father. This programme was first broadcast in 2010.PHOTO: Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

In 1958, Milkha Singh became the first Indian to win a track-and-field gold at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. Singh - later nicknamed the Flying Sikh - had been orphaned in the violence that followed the Partition of India. He overcame the trauma by discovering athletics while serving in the Indian army. He talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Getty Images

The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Scotland was in 1986, when nearly 60 countries, mostly from Africa and the Caribbean, boycotted the event in protest at Margaret Thatcher’s policy of maintaining sporting links with apartheid-era South Africa. Eve Streeter talks to the English distance runner Jon Solly about winning the 10,000 metres at a games that was attended almost exclusively by white athletes.(Photo: The opening of the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Credit: PA)

In 1975, the great Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx lost the Tour de France after being punched by a spectator during a mountain stage. The incident marked the start of the decline of a rider so dominant he was nicknamed "The Cannibal". British cyclist Barry Hoban recalls the punch and shares his personal memories of racing with Merckx.(Photo: Eddy Merckx. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

In 1953, England were regarded as the "Fathers of Football" and as virtually unbeatable on home soil. But a Hungarian team led by the great Ferenc Puskas demolished them 6-3 at Wembley Stadium. Will Yates introduces memories of the match from former players, Stan Mortensen and Jackie Sewell, and former England manager, Bobby Robson, who was in the crowd. The programme is a Whistledown Production.PHOTO: Centre-Forward Nandor Hidegkuti hammers home Hungary's sixth goal (Hulton Archive/Getty Images).

In 1978, Argentina hosted the World Cup while under a brutal military dictatorship. Amid controversy and fanatical home support, the team reached the final and won a dramatic victory in extra time. Sporting Witness hears the memories of defender, Alberto Tarantini. The programme is a Whistledown Production.PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images.