Sporting Witness

Sporting Witness

By BBC World ServiceSportsHistory
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Sporting Witness episodes

  • Rwanda v Uganda: The Match that Made History

    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)

    9 min
  • India's World Cup Cricket Triumph

    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).

    9 min
  • Barry Sheene Crashes

    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)

    9 min
  • Socceroos in Vietnam

    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.

    10 min
  • Boat Race Mutiny

    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).

    10 min
  • Beryl Burton - The Yorkshire Dynamo

    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)

    10 min
  • Surfing Mavericks

    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)

    9 min
  • The Black Stars of Ghana

    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)

    10 min
  • The Ice Bowl

    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)

    10 min
  • Skating's Battle of the Brians

    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)

    10 min

About Sporting Witness

From the publisher's feed

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…

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