Sporting Witness

In 2001, Alex Zanardi, the Italian racing driver and two-time winner of the American Indy Car Series, lost both his legs in a horrific crash. Despite his injuries, he managed to return to motor-racing and launch a second career as a gold-medal winning handcyclist. Alex Zanardi talks to Will Yates.Picture: Getty Images Sport.The programme is a Whistledown Production for BBC World Service.

Just ten weeks before the Barcelona Olympics Silken Laumann, a Canadian rower, suffered a horrific leg injury. After six weeks she got back on the water. "Here I was still using a wheelchair, a massive skin graft on my leg. I could not walk without pain. I got into that boat with some help, there were a few adjustments to take some of the strain off my broken ankle."After four operations, she managed to make it to the final and win a bronze medal, becoming a national hero in Canada. This programme was first broadcast in March 2014. Picture: Silken Laumann, Credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport.

In February 1964, Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston fought the first of two of the most controversial boxing bouts in history. The 22-year-old Ali - then still known as Cassius Clay - was the young pretender taking on a veteran with a reputation for knockouts. He became world champion in circumstances that are still disputed to this day. Witness speaks to an American sportswriter with a ringside seat.PHOTO: Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

In 1984, the British ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean entranced the world with their performance of Ravel's Bolero at the Winter Olympics. Torvill and Dean scored a row of perfect 6s and stormed to Olympic gold. They speak to Alex Collins about their world record performance.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You’ll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded.Recent episodes explore the forgotten football Women’s World Cup, the plasterer who fought a boxing legend, international football’s biggest ever beating and the man who swam the Amazon river. We look at the lives of some of the most famous F1 drivers, tennis players and athletes as well as people who’ve had ground-breaking impact in their chosen sporting field, including: the most decorated Paralympian, the woman who was the number 1 squash player in the world for nine years, and the first figure skater to wear a hijab. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the tennis player who escaped the Nazis, how a man finally beat a horse in a race, and how the FIFA computer game was created.(Photo: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. Credit: AllsportUK /Allsport via Getty Images)

In 1976, the legendary Austrian skier won one of the most exciting Olympic downhill races of all time. Franz Klammer 'The Kaiser' was the overwhelming favourite, but he had to take massive risks to claim gold in front of his home crowd at Innsbruck. Klammer talks to Sporting Witness.Picture: Franz Klammer, Credit: AFP/Getty Images.

In 1964, Britain won its only Olympic bobsleigh gold medal in an event that became famous for an act of sportsmanship by Eugenio Monti of Italy. Sporting Witness talks to the British team.(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

At the 1980 Winter Olympics, the USA faced the USSR in a Cold War ice hockey showdown. Witness speaks to an American and a Soviet player about one of the biggest upsets in sporting history.PHOTO: Getty Images

In 1998, a Kenyan farmer called Philip Boit became one of the first Africans to compete in the Winter Olympics. In the 10-kilometre cross-country skiing final he faced the legendary Norwegian, Bjorn Daehlie. It was a race that would unite the two athletes and inspire future Winter Olympians across Africa.PHOTO: Getty Images.

In 1988, the American speedskater was told on the day of the Olympic final that his sister had died of cancer. Stricken by grief, he then fell during his race. It took Dan Jansen another six years - and five more Olympic races - before he finally won gold.(Photo: Dan Jansen. Credit: Getty Images Sport)

In 1988, the glamorous East German skater, Katarina Witt, and her American rival, Debbi Thomas, both chose to dance the role of Carmen in the final of the Olympics. For Sporting Witness, Witt recalls a contest that became known as the "Battle of the Carmens".PHOTO:

Fred Dove presents the highlights from Sporting Witness, the series which reveals the inside story of key moments in sporting history. It's packed with stories of endurance, personal triumph and injustices, and we hear from Martina Navratilova about the personal cost of her defection, learn how Dick Fosbury came up with his revolutionary way of high-jumping and discover why the French team turned up at the 1948 Olympics in London with a train full of wine.PHOTO: Hassiba Boulmerka of Algeria, winner of the women's 1500 metres at the 1992 Olympics. (Getty Images)

The Ethiopian distance-runner Haile Gebrselassie defeated his greatest rival Paul Tergat of Kenya in one of the narrowest victories ever in the 10,000m event. He entered athletics history at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 by successfully defending his 10,000 metre title and beating Tergat by less than one second. Presented by Fred Dove. This programme was first broadcast in July 2012.Picture: Ethiopian athlete Haile Gebrselassie and Paul Tergat of Kenya at the end of the 10,000 metres at the Sydney Olympics, Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

In 1968, the American athlete Bob Beamon, made a jump that many thought would never be bettered."As I struck that lightboard, I went up over six feet... and then I'd landed at this distance that was described as a freak."In a single leap at the Mexico City Olympics, he improved the world record by more than half a metre. His new world record for long jump was 8.90m.Sporting Witness speaks to Bob Beamon and to Lynn Davies, a Welsh long-jumper who saw the feat.This programme was first broadcast in July 2012.Picture: Bob Beamon's long jump at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, Credit: Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images

In 1978, Martina Navratilova won her first ever Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon.Navratilova's victory followed her dramatic defection from Czechoslovakia and signalled the start of her domination of women's tennis.Martina Navratilova talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: BBC

In 1992, the British 400-metre runner Derek Redmond, popped his hamstring in the Olympic semi-final.Instead of giving up, Redmond hobbled in agony to the finish line - determined to complete his race.Half-way round, Redmond's father, Jim, ran on to the track to help his son home.It's an Olympic story that's inspired millions of people around the world.Derek Redmond talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Getty Images

At the Seoul Olympics in 1988, the American sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner was the first American woman to win four medals in a single games - golds for the 100m, the 200m and the women's 4×100m relay, and a silver for the women's 4×400m relay. She achieved world records in both her 100m and 200m which still stand to this day. Flo-Jo, as she was nicknamed, was also famous for her flamboyant nails and unique dress sense.In a rare interview, Flo-Jo's husband Al Joyner, remembers her achievements and premature death in 1998.This programme broadcast in June 2012. Picture: Florence Griffith-Joyner, Credit: Getty Images Sport.

In 1986, Argentina striker Diego Maradona scored two goals against England which have gone down in World Cup history.The first goal is now known as the "hand of God" and the second as the "goal of the century".England frontman Gary Lineker saw both goals go in and shares his memories with Sporting Witness.(Image: Argentina's Diego Maradona scoring his side's first goal past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton by use of his hand, Maradona later claimed that the goal was scored by "the hand of God". Credit: BONGARTS/Getty Images)

In 1954, Sir Roger Bannister became the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes. At the time this was one of the greatest prizes in athletics.He tells his story to Rob Walker.(Photo: Roger Bannister winning the AAA Championships Mile race in 1954. Hulton Archive/Getty Images.)

A few days after Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, she had her best chance of owning the winner of the derby, but first the horse would have to beat the British public's favourite jockey. Peter O'Sullevan - the BBC's voice of racing - talks to Julian Bedford.(Image: Champion jockey Gordon Richards being led in after winning the Coronation Derby on 'Pinza'. Credit: Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

The American diver Greg Louganis talks about hitting his head on the diving board at the 1988 Olympic Games at Seoul, South Korea.At the time, only he and his coach Ron O'Brien knew he was HIV positive and he had to decide whether to tell officials about the possible health risk.This programme was broadcast in May 2012. Picture: Greg Louganis of the US bangs his head against the board after mistiming his dive during the Olympic competition. Credit: Getty Images

In the 1972 Olympics he broke the 10,000 metre world record despite falling over during the race.Hear from Lasse Viren, and one of his fellow competitors.Photo: Lasse Viren celebrating his win. Associated Press.

At the age of 25, the American cyclist Lance Armstrong, was diagnosed with cancer.After aggressive chemotherapy, Armstrong fought back to win the world's most prestigious endurance cycle race - the Tour De France.Armstrong's friend, Bob Roll, talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images

In 2008, the South African swimmer, Natalie du Toit, became the first athlete to qualify to compete at the Paralympic and Olympic Games.She tells her story to Fred Dove. Photo: Natalie du Toit at the 2008 Paralympics (AFP/Getty Images)Note: The audio for this programme will be available online from Monday 7th May.

In 1960, the West Indies and Australia played one of the most dramatic test matches of all the time.For the first time in cricket history, the game ended in a tie.The Australian captain, Richie Benaud, recalls the test for Sporting Witness.PHOTO: West Indies fast bowler Wesley Hall causes havoc. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 1996, the American sprinter, Michael Johnson, shattered the 200-metre world record at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.His victory, on home soil, completed a sprint double and is regarded as one of the greatest athletic performances of all time.Johnson recalls the race for Sporting Witness.NOTE: The audio of this programme will be available online on Monday.PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images

In 1981, Bob Champion won a fairytale victory in Britain's most famous steeplechase, the Grand National.Two years earlier, Champion had been diagnosed with cancer. He had survived the treatment by dreaming of a National win.Bob Champion recalls the race for Sporting Witness.PHOTO: BBC

In 1987, the Oxford boat crew was hit by an unprecedented mutiny by a group of mainly American rowers.The Oxford coach, Dan Topolski, was at the heart of the dispute.Topolski gives Witness his account of the mutiny, and how he went on to win the university Boat Race with a makeshift crew.PHOTO: The Oxford crew celebrate (Getty Images Sport)

In 1983, a 61 year old potato farmer called Cliff Young stunned Australia by winning an epic running race between Sydney and Melbourne.The victory made Young a legend and helped put ultra-running on the map as a sport.Witness speaks to ultra-running great Tony Rafferty, who lost to Cliff Young in the 1983 race.PHOTO: Cliff Young training in gumboots. (Getty Images Sport)

Three black players who found fame in the British football league in the 1970s. They all played for West Bromwich Albion.When the pop trio, The Three Degrees, toured England, a press opportunity was just waiting to happen.Photo: Cyrille Regis one of the West Brom players.

Ayrton Senna was one of the best Formula One drivers ever. He died in a crash in Italy in 1994. Hear from his friend and doctor, Professor Sid Watkins. The Brazilian icon was just 34 years old at the time.Hear from his friend and doctor, Professor Sid Watkins. Photo: AFP/Getty Images.

In 1988 the Caribbean island fielded a bobsled team at the Winter Olympics.Devon Harris was one of the four man team - hear his story.Photo: Mark Cardwell/AFP/Getty Images.

In 1967, the American athlete Kathrine Switzer, became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.At the time, athletics officials believed women were incapable of running more than a mile and a half.After crossing the finishing line, Switzer was disqualified.It was an experience that turned her into a campaigner for women's sport.Picture: A Boston Marathon official attempts to stop Katherine Switzer, Credit: Associated Press

In 1955, the legendary British racing driver Sir Stirling Moss, faced his biggest challenge.He headed for Italy to take part in the Mille Miglia - a 1000 mile race around the country.David Prest talks to Sir Stirling for Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Sir Stirling Moss, centre, at the finish line. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 1994, the ice skater Nancy Kerrigan, was clubbed in the knee shortly after a training session.The attack was caught on video and put Kerrigan's Olympic hopes in jeopardy.To the shock of America, the plot was traced back to the entourage of one of Nancy Kerrigan's rivals, .Kerrigan's coach, Mary Scotvold, talks publicly for the first time about what happened.(PHOTO: Getty Images Sport)

In 1992, the Algerian runner, Hassiba Boulmerka, won gold in the women's 1500m at the Barcelona Olympics.Before the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, her success had made her a political opponent for extremists. An imam had told her that running in shorts was anti-Islam. "My image didn't fit in at all with their ideology," is how she describes it. She was forced to do all her training abroad.She defied death threats from Islamist extremists to win one of the best women's middle-distance races of all time."This victory reignited a sense of patriotism in the hearts of the Algerian people... It showed that you should fight for things. That you should have courage." Chloe Arnold talks to Hassiba Boulmerka for Sporting Witness.This programme broadcast in February 2012. Picture: Hassiba Boulmerka celebrates her gold. Credit: AFP

In 1958, the New York Giants played the Baltimore Colts in the NFL championship game.The match was so exciting it turned American Football into a successful television sport virtually overnight.The clash became known as the "Greatest Game".Sporting Witness talks to veteran American sports commentator, Bob Wolff, who covered the match.PHOTO: Bob Wolff commentating in the 1950s.

In 1948, London hosted what became known as the "Austerity Olympics".The games were held just three years after the end of World War II - in a city where streets were still scarred by bombing and Londoners still lived on rationing.The Olympics helped lift the mood of the nation.Helena Merriman talks to Dorothy Tyler, who competed in the high jump in 1948.This programme was first broadcast in 2010.PHOTO: Dorothy Tyler in action (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 1993, Zambia went into mourning when most of its promising football side were killed in an air crash.But just a year later, a re-built team managed to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, playing great football along the way.Claire Bowes speaks to Zambian team captain, Kalusha Bwalya.PHOTO: Fans watch the new Zambian side train for the African Cup of Nations (Simon Bruty/Getty Images Sport).

In 1996, Venuste Niyongabo won Burundi's only Olympic gold medal ever.His victory in the 5,000 metres came at the height of civil war and made him a unifying figure for Birundians.Emily Williams meets him for Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Venuste Niyongabo winning gold. (GETTY IMAGES)

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.PHOTO: Hereford heroes Ronnie Radford and Ricky George (right). (Press Association)

As London prepares to hold the 2012 Olympics, Sporting Witness goes back four centuries to the first ever games held in Britain - the "Cotswold Olimpicks".The games - which included everything from tossing the caber to shin-kicking - were organised by Robert Dover in the small village of Chipping Campden.Sarah Cuddon visits the modern version of the Cotswold Games and learns how they inspired the finest poets of the age.PHOTO: Sheaf-throwing, an Olympic sport in the Cotswolds. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 1968, Kip Keino became an inspiration to Kenyan athletes when he won gold in the 1500m at the Mexico City Olympics.Mary Harper visits Keino at his home in Kenya to hear about his struggle to win that medal, and about his incredible life story.(Image: Kip Keino winning Olympic gold. Credit: Tony Duffy/Getty Images Sport)

At the 1968 Mexico Olympics, the world looked on in horror as the Australian runner, Ron Clarke the race favourite, collapsed at the finishing line of the 10,000 metres. His heart had stopped. The Australian team doctor, Brian Corrigan, ran to him and managed to get his heart started again. Clarke had run out of oxygen because of the high altitude in Mexico City.Sporting Witness speaks to Ron Clarke and Brian Corrigan.This programme broadcast in December 2011. Picture: Ron Clarke, in second place, shortly before his collapse. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

How three British women swimmers took the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics by storm.Their names were Joyce Cooper, Jean McDowell and Cissie Stewart. Photo: The British women's team in Holland.

At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union challenged Canada - the best country in the world for ice hockey - to a special series of matches.The eight-game series was closely fought and went right up to the final seconds in Moscow.Sporting Witness speaks to Paul Henderson, one of the stars of the Canadian team.Audio courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Team Canada 72.PHOTO: Paul Henderson (centre, in the dark jersey) playing the USSR in 1972. (HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES).

In 1976 Princess Anne became the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games. The Princess was part of the three-day eventing team in Montreal. She suffered concussion after a bad fall from her horse Goodwill.She shares her Olympic memories with Fred Dove.This programme was first broadcast in November 2011. Picture: HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal aboard Goodwill during the Mixed Three-Day Event Team Cross-Country at the XXI Olympic Summer Games on 24 July 1976 at the Olympic Equestrian Centre, Bromont, Québec, Canada., Credit: Getty Images.

The diminutive weight-lifter, Precious McKenzie, was a prodigious talent, but apartheid prevented him from competing for South Africa.Precious had to move to Britain and work in a factory in Northampton. While doing so, he finally achieved international success at the 1966 Commonwealth Games.Precious went on to become a familiar figure on British TV in the 1970s.Emily Williams talks to him for Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Precious McKenzie shows off his medal collection (Hulton Archive/Getty Images).

At the start of the 1970s, the United States and Maoist China were cold war enemies.Then the world table tennis championships of 1971 helped improve relations between the two countries.Sporting Witness hears from the American ping-pong players invited on a pioneering visit to China.

In 1980, the British swimmer, Duncan Goodhew, faced a moral dilemma over whether to compete in the Moscow Olympics, which were being boycotted by the USA.In the end, he decided to compete and won Gold in the 100m breastroke.For Witness, David Prest hears from Duncan Goodhew and other British athletes at the 1980 games.PHOTO: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In October 1974 one of the greatest boxing matches of all time took place in Zaire.Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.The President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko had paid them millions of dollars to travel to Africa.Jerry Izenberg, who covered the contest as a reporter for The New Jersey Star Ledger, told Chloe Hadjimatheou his memories of possibly the most iconic bout in the sport's history. Muhammad Ali died aged 74 on 3 June 2016. George Foreman died aged 76 on 21 March 2025.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You’ll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded.Recent episodes explore the forgotten football Women’s World Cup, the plasterer who fought a boxing legend, international football’s biggest ever beating and the man who swam the Amazon river. We look at the lives of some of the most famous F1 drivers, tennis players and athletes as well as people who’ve had ground-breaking impact in their chosen sporting field, including: the most decorated Paralympian, the woman who was the number 1 squash player in the world for nine years, and the first figure skater to wear a hijab. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the tennis player who escaped the Nazis, how a man finally beat a horse in a race, and how the Fifa computer game was created.(Fight archive courtesy of ESPN)(Photo: Rumble in the Jungle. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)