Sporting Witness

In 1998, a remote and impoverished region of Russia hosted the Chess Olympiad - one of the biggest events in the sport. The controversial president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, spent millions of dollars on the venue, which he named Chess City. British Grandmaster Nigel Short played at the Olympiad.PICTURE: The plans for Chess City (BBC)

In 1992, the American sprinter Gail Devers was the surprise winner of the 100 metres at the Barcelona Olympic Games. Devers had only just recovered from a rare disease which nearly led to her feet being amputated. Simon Watts reports.(Photo: Gail Devers (AllSport/Getty Images)

In 1955, the British driver Sir Stirling Moss, faced one of the biggest challenges of his career. He headed to Italy to race in the famous - and extremely dangerous - thousand mile race around the country known as the Mille Miglia. Sir Stirling's victory was one of the proudest moments of his career. In 2012, he discussed the race with David Prest. The programme is a Whistledown Production for BBC World Service.(Photo: Sir Stirling Moss, right, and his navigator, Denis Jenkinson, left, celebrate their win covered in dirt. Credit: Getty Images)

In March 1999 the Baltimore Orioles became the first US Major League team to play in Cuba for more than 40 years. Fans in Cuba eagerly awaited the fixture, and the game was played in a carnival atmosphere, with Fidel Castro looking on from the crowds. It was hailed as a success of sporting diplomacy.Cuban baseball star Enrique Diaz was in the national team that day. He tells Witness about the highlight of his sporting career.(Photo: Cuban and American flags. Credit: Getty Images)

In March 1969, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia faced off in a tense ice hockey match at the World Championships in Sweden. The Czechoslovak team were determined to get revenge for Moscow's invasion of their country to crush the Prague Spring reform movement. The Czechoslovaks won an unexpected victory sparking celebrations and then rioting in Prague. Ashley Byrne talks to the Czechoslovak player, Jan Havel. The programme is a Made-In-Manchester Production.PHOTO: Czechoslovakia playing the Soviet Union in the 1960s (Getty Images).

In the 1980s, the American boxer, Gail Grandchamp, launched a long campaign for the right to take part in amateur competitions in the USA. Representing herself and raising money through part-time jobs, Gail was eventually successful in 1992 - blaising a trail for women boxers the world over. She talks to Rebecca Kesby.PHOTO CREDIT: Gail Grandchamp in 2007 (The Berkshire Eagle)

In 2007, England's rugby team played Ireland at Croke Park in Dublin for the first time. Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by British troops in 1920 during the Irish Revolution and is regarded by nationalists as the home of traditional Irish sports. After a tense build-up, the game ended with an emphatic Irish win. Robert Nicholson talks to Ireland winger Shane Horgan and England back Matthew Tait. The programme is a Whistledown Production.PHOTO: England and Ireland line up for the national anthems (Getty Images)

In 1996, Josia Thugwane won the closest marathon in Olympic history and became the first black South African to take a gold medal in athletics. Thugwane's victory was cheered by millions - including the sports-mad president, Nelson Mandela - but his story has now been largely forgotten in South Africa. He talks to Lisa Needham. The programme is a Sparklab Production for BBC World Service.(Photo: Josia Thugwane after winning the 1996 Olympic Marathon. Credit: Getty Images)

In February 2003, Zimbabwean cricketers Henry Olonga and Andy Flower risked their careers to protest against President Mugabe during the World Cup. After issuing a statement condemning the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, the players took to the field wearing black armbands to symbolise what they considered the "Death of Democracy" in their country. Henry Olonga talks to Rob Walker for Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Henry Olonga (Getty Images)

In 1978, US female sports journalists won a major victory in their fight to do their jobs in the same way as men. US sports had a tradition of allowing reporters to do interviews in the dressing-room after big games. Women were not allowed in until baseball reporter Melissa Ludtke's case went to court. Ludtke and pioneering American Football journalist Lesley Visser talk to Nija Dalal-Small. The programme is a Sparklab Production.(Photo: Melissa Ludtke in the 1970s. Credit: Associated Press)

In 1908, hundreds of thousands of Londoners crowded the streets to watch the dramatic events of the Olympic marathon. Dorando Pietri, an Italian sweet-maker from Capri, was first into White City Stadium but he collapsed and had to be helped to the line. He was consequently disqualified and Johnny Hayes of the USA was declared the winner. However, with their love of a gallant loser, the disqualification made Pietri a celebrity for British people and he was greeted with cheers wherever he went. Simon Watts tells his story through newspaper reports from the time.Picture: Dorando Pietri crosses the line, Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Iditarod dog-sled race runs through 1,000 miles of Arctic wildnerness in Alaska and is regarded as one of the toughest sporting events in the world. In the winter of 1985, Libby Riddles drew international attention to the Iditarod by becoming the first woman to win. She talks to Robert Nicholson. The programme is a Whistledown Production.(Photo: Libby Riddles in 1985. Credit: Associated Press)

In 1972, the Soviet gymnast, Olga Korbut, was one of the stars of the Munich Olympics. Just four foot eleven, the "Sparrow from Minsk" charmed the world by breaking down in tears after messing up a routine - but then fought back to take three Gold medals. Olga Korbut talks to Ashley Byrne. The programme is a Made in Manchester Production.PHOTO: Olga Korbut at the 1972 Olympics (AFP/Getty Images)

In 1991, Mike Powell and Carl Lewis took on Bob Beamon's iconic Long Jump world record at the World Championships in Tokyo. In an epic battle, both men went further than Beamon, with Mike Powell eventually setting a record that stands to this day. He talks to Adrian Moorhead for Sporting Witness. The programme is a Sparklab Production and was first broadcast in June 2015.PHOTO: Mike Powell breaking the record. Credit: Getty Images.

In 1967, the American motorcycle stuntman made his name with a spectacular - if unsuccessful - attempt to jump over the fountains of Caesar's Palace casino. Ashley Byrne talks to Evel Knievel's family about the man behind the legend. The programme is a Made-In-Manchester Production.PHOTO: Evel Knievel in mid-leap (Getty Images)

In 1990, the East German football team played their last ever match - just a few weeks before the country was officially dissolved. Only 14 players bothered turning up for the friendly against Belgium, but those that did were determined to go out on a high note. Tim Mansel talks to the former East German striker, Uwe Rosler.PHOTO: The East German team at the 1974 World Cup (AP)

In 1995, the Japanese wrestler, Antonio Inoki, organised an international tournament in secretive North Korea. Featuring wrestling stars from Japan and America, the Collision in Korea was an attempt to foster peace through sport and attracted crowds in the hundreds of thousands. Ashley Byrne reports. The programme is a Made-in-Manchester Production.(Photo: The crowd at the Collision in Korea in Pyongyang. Credit: Getty Images).

The New Zealander Jonah Lomu was the first superstar of international rugby. A virtually unstoppable combination of strength and speed, he burst on the scene in 1995 with a four-try demolition of England at the Rugby World Cup. But although he seemed invincible, Lomu was already sick with the kidney disease that led to his early death at the age of 40. The BBC's Rob Bonnet spoke to Lomu in 2004.(Photo: Jonah Lomu steams past the England defence in 1995. Credit: Getty Images)

In the early 1980s, Rifaat Turk became the first successful Arab player in Israeli football. The son of a Jaffa fisherman, Turk defied frequent racist abuse during a stellar career with Hapoel Tel Aviv and the Israeli national team. He talks to Robert Nicholson. The programme is a Whistledown Production.(Photo: Rifaat Turk showing off his skills. Credit: Associated Press)

In the 1970s and 80s, Communist East Germany dominated athletics -- thanks to the most sophisticated doping programme in the history of sport. The programme had a lasting physical and psychological impact on many East German competitors. Two of them, sprinter Ines Geipel and shot-putter Andreas Krieger, talk to Mike Costello for Sporting Witness. This material was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.(Photo: Heidi Krieger, later Andreas Krieger. Credit: Ulstein Bild/Getty Images)