Sporting Witness

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).

In 1975, Lee Elder braved death threats to become the first African-American golfer to play at the prestigious US Masters in Augusta. It was one of the last colour barriers in US sport and made him a hero to many black sportsmen - including Tiger Woods. In 2013, Lee Elder spoke about the tournament to Simon Watts.(Photo: Lee Elder playing golf later in life. 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.(Photo: The 1967 Australian team. Courtesy: Stan Ackerley)

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.