Sporting Witness

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)