Sporting Witness

In 1994, the USA hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time. The choice of host nation was a controversial one because, at that time, the US didn't have an active professional football league. Alan Rothenberg was the man in charge of organising the competition. He decided to book Motown legend, Diana Ross, to headline the opening ceremony in Chicago. Her penalty miss in front of 67,000 fans became an iconic moment in World Cup history. Alan has been sharing his memories of the tournament with Matt Pintus. (Photo: Diana Ross performs at the World Cup opening ceremony. Credit: Getty Images)

In 1980, the newly independent nation of Zimbabwe was invited to enter a women's hockey team at the Olympic Games in Moscow. Despite their unfamiliarity with the pitches - and each other - the players won an unexpected gold medal and were nicknamed the Golden Girls. In 2016, Claire Bowes talked to Liz Chase, one of the victorious Zimbabweans.(Photo: Zimbabwe's women's hockey team display their gold medals. Credit: Patricia McKillop via Alamy)

For millions of gamers all over the world Tonton Zola Moukoko is a cult hero. The Swedish-Congolese footballer found fame as a brilliant player in the computer game series Championship Manager. But in the real world, things were very different. He never managed to break into Derby County’s first team and in his personal life there were moments of immense tragedy. He has been sharing his story with Matt Pintus.(Photo: Tonton in front of screenshot of Championship Manager. Credit: Tonton Zola Moukoko)

In October 1972, Llanelli rugby club, a semi-professional side made up steel workers, teachers and dockworkers in south Wales, took on the most decorated international side in rugby history – the All Blacks, and won. Former Wales head coach and Llanelli local Gareth Jenkins was just 21 when he played against New Zealand's iconic rugby team. He tells Isaac Sneade how the match unfolded.This is a One Tribe TV production for the BBC World Service.(Photo: Llanelli playing the All Blacks in October 1972. Credit: Andrew Richards)

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)

Shanshan Feng was the first Chinese golfer ever to win a major championship back in 2012 and she also became number one in the women's world golf rankings. She won bronze in the Olympics in Rio 2016. She speaks to Wayne Wright about her distinguished career. This is a Made in Manchester production for the BBC World Service.(Photo: Shanshan Feng. Credit: IMG China)

At the 1999 Comrades ultramarathon, South Africa’s most gruelling road race, runner Nick Bester and his teammates notice something suspicious, as they run the 90km race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.Nick speaks to Craig Boardman about his experience in the race including winning it in 1991. However, it was a bizarre twist in 1999s race that stands out for him.(Photo: Starting line at the 1999 Comrades ultramarathon in Pietermaritzburg. Credit: The Comrades Marathon Association)

It has been 10 years since seven time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, was given a lifetime ban from cycling for doping. Journalist David Walsh dedicated 12 years of his life trying to prove that Armstrong had cheated his way to victory. The Sunday Times reporter refused to believe Lance Armstrong when he said he didn’t take performance enhancing drugs.He has been telling his story to Matt Pintus.(Photo: Lance Armstrong winning the 2004 Tour de France. Credit: Getty Images)

At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, Derartu Tulu, from Ethiopia, became the first black African woman to win a gold medal.She speaks to Rachel Naylor about winning the 10,000 metres and beating South Africa's Elana Meyer.(Photo: Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu (L) and Elana Meyer of South Africa join hands in a victory lap after the women's 10,000m final at Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Credit: Getty Images)

Rose Reilly played football for AC Milan as she was banned from playing professional football in her home nation of Scotland. She was the most successful female player in Serie A. Yet despite these achievements, after she criticised the Scottish Football Association, they banned her for life. In 1984, Rose represented the Italian national women's team. She speaks to Michael Rossi about her determination to play the game she loved.(Rose Reilly playing football for Reims in 1974. Getty Images)

At the Rio 2016 Olympics, judoka Majlinda Kelmendi competed to bring home the first medal for Kosovo since the small country gained independence. A two-time World Champion from a nation that had endured years of oppression and war, she had previously had to compete under the Albanian flag. The Olympics recognised Kosovo in 2014, and in 2016 she went on to win the gold medal. It was a moment of great symbolic importance for the young nation, whose statehood remained disputed on the international stage. (Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo celebrates winning the gold medal in Rio 2016. Getty Images)

In 1988, the Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was disqualified 48 hours after winning the Olympic 100 metre final and setting a new world record. It was one of the biggest doping scandals in the history of sport. Simon Watts introduces Ben Johnson interviews from the BBC archives.(Getty: Ben Johnson wins the 100 metres final at the Seoul Olympics)

Rick Macci was one of Serena and Venus Williams' first tennis coaches. He flew across America to see them play in Compton in Los Angeles when they were still children. He speaks to Uma Doraiswamy about the moment he knew they were going to be world number ones and dominate the sport.(Photo: Rick Macci with Venus Williams and her father Richard. Credit: Getty Images)

It's 50 years since the Soviet Union and the USA battled out the 1972 Olympic men's basketball final. It ended up being one of the most controversial matches in history. The Americans thought they were champions, but the Soviets won it at the death in very unusual circumstances. The USA team have never accepted their silver medals. Ben Henderson spoke to Ivan Edeshko, who made the game-winning ‘golden pass’ for the USSR. (Photo from Bettmann via Getty Images: USSR players celebrate beating the USA in the 1972 Olympic men's basketball final)

At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, one mistake with a piece of gymnastics equipment changed the course of a final. It wasn't properly acknowledged at the time and even now, is one of the biggest Olympic mistakes that barely anyone has heard about. Australian former gymnast Allana Slater describes how she spotted the error.(Getty Images: Allana Slater competing on the vault)

British showjumper Nick Skelton competed in six Olympic games in his quest to win a medal, even coming back from a career ending injury. Having started riding when he was three years old, Nick won many titles, and it was the lure of the Olympics that kept him competing.(Getty Images: Nick Skelton at the 2012 Olympics)

Between 1982 and 1984, UEFA held the first European Competition for Women's Football. 16 teams battled it out across Europe.The final was between Sweden and England.Rachel Naylor speaks to the Swedish captain Anette Börjesson.(Photo: Anette Börjesson (left) shakes hands with England captain Carol Thomas before the second leg of the 1984 final in Luton. Credit: Empics/Peter Robinson)

After 14 years training and riding in a variety of tours, cyclist Yohann Gene from Guadeloupe, finally earned approval from his coach and was selected to race in the 2011 Tour De France. He then made history by becoming the first black man to finish the brutal race.(Getty Images: Yohann Gene in the Tour de France)

Despite being hampered by injury in Athens 2004, Darren Campbell helps the British 4x100 metre relay team cause one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history.(Getty: Darren Campbell at the Athens 2004 Olympics)

In July 2013, a record crowd of 41,000 people watched as Germany beat Norway in the women's European championship final in Sweden. The victory meant that Germany had won an unprecedented six European Championships in a row. Goalkeeper, Nadine Angerer, was Germany’s star player and captain for that tournament. She has been telling her story to Matt Pintus.(Photo: Nadine Angerer in action at the 2013 European Championships. Credit: Getty Images)