Sporting Witness

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.

In 2002, South Korea put in the best performance ever in Asian football, reaching the World Cup semi-final and defeating some of the top teams in Europe. They were helped by massive home support. Sporting Witness talks to South Korean player, Lee Young Pyo. The programme is a Whistledown Production.PHOTO: AFP.

In 1994, the Colombian defender Andres Escobar was murdered in the city of Medellin shortly after scoring an own goal in a crucial match at the World Cup. Many linked his death directly to his mistake on the pitch. Sporting Witness talks to Colombian journalist Luis Fernando Restrepo, a friend of Escobar's who saw him on the night he was killed.(Photo: Getty Images)

In 1950, Brazil hosted the World Cup and were the overwhelming favourites to win the tournament at the last match at the Maracana Stadium. But, in a defeat that hurts to this day, the Brazilians lost to Uruguay 2-1. Sporting Witness talks to Alcides Ghiggia, who scored the winning Uruguayan goal at what became known as the 'Maracanazo'.(Photo: Alcides Ghiggia celebrates the winning goal. Credit: AP)

In 1989, the Chinese-American player became the youngest male winner of a tennis Grand Slam just days after the Tiananmen Square massacre. Michael Chang was gripped by tv coverage of the killings and dedicated his only major win to the people of China. He talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Getty Images.

In June 1985, the Irish boxer fought for the world championship in front of a huge crowd at a football stadium in London. McGuigan's boxing had united all sides in Northern Ireland, and the emotional bout would come to be regarded as one of the great moments in the history of the sport. He talks to Alex Capstick.PHOTO: Getty Images Sport.

In May 1964, more than 300 people died in disturbances at a match between Peru and Argentina in Lima. It was the worst stadium disaster in football history. Piers Edwards speaks to two survivors of the tragedy.PHOTO: Peruvian Institute of Sport.

In 2006, the legendary French player Zinedine Zidane was sent off in the World Cup final in his last game before retirement. In a shocking incident, Zidane had head-butted the Italian defender, Marco Materazzi. Witness speaks to Horacio Elizondo, the referee who showed him the red card. The programme is a Whistledown Production for BBC World Service.(Photo: Horacio Elizondo (right) holds up a red card to Zinedine Zidane (centre). Credit: Getty Images)

In 1966, the footballers of communist North Korea travelled to England to play in their first World Cup. Against all expectations, they won a series of matches - including a shock victory over Italy - and charmed their hosts in the northern city of Middlesborough. Sporting Witness talks to the Italian forward, Sandro Mazzola, and one of North Korea's many English supporters. The programme is a Whistledown Production for BBC World Service.PHOTO: North Korea celebrating their win over Italy (Getty Images).

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 one of the Cameroon team about a defining game for African football.(Photo: Getty Images Sport)

In 1999, the American footballer, Brandi Chastain, scored the winning penalty in the Women's World Cup final against China. She caused controversy by tearing off her shirt in celebration to reveal her sports bra. Brandi Chastain talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Getty Images.

In 1967, the American athlete became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon despite attempts to stop her. At the time, officials believed women were incapable of running more than a mile and a half. The experience turned Kathrine Switzer into a campaigner for women's sport. She spoke to Sporting Witness in 2012.PHOTO: Associated Press.

In April 1958 a group of Algerian players secretly left their clubs in France to form their own national team. Some had already been selected to play for France in the upcoming World Cup Finals. Saint Etienne striker, Rashid Mekhloufi, recalls the day that changed his footballing life.Photo: The 1958 Algerian revolutionary team, reunited 30 years later. Rashid Mekhloufi is second from the right, front row

In 1954, West Germany faced the all-powerful Hungarian side of Ferenc Puskas in the football World Cup final in Switzerland. Despite going two goals down, the Germans fought back and seized an epic win with six minutes to go. The 'Miracle of Bern' gave a new sense of confidence to a nation still scarred by Nazism and the legacy of World War Two. Lucy Burns brings together archive recordings of two of the German footballers who played in the match.(Photo: The West German team celebrate at the final whistle. Credit: Bongarts/Getty Images).

In 2006, Scott Jurek, one of the world's best ultramarathon runners, travelled to the remote canyons of Northern Mexico to race the best athletes from an ancient Mexican tribe. The Tarahumara have a tradition of running huge distances and they gave Jurek one of his toughest races, inspiring the best-selling book, "Born To Run". Scott Jurek talks to Sporting Witness.PHOTO: Scott Jurek with Tarahumara runner, Arnulfo Quimare. (Luis Escobar)

In 1950, the US won a famous victory over England at the World Cup in Brazil. The only goal was scored by a Haitian, Joe Gaetjens, playing for his adopted country. After the tournament, he returned to Haiti - only to be taken away by Papa Doc Duvalier's secret police and never seen again. Joe Gaetjens' son, Lesly, talks to Sporting Witness. PHOTO: APThis edition of Witness is a Whistledown Production for the BBC World Service.

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.