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Sporting Witness

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there.

Podcast · By BBC World Service · English · GB · Official site

Indexed episodes, last 90 days
12
Latest publication
Sep 19, 2026
Audience
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Earliest in this view
Jul 4, 2026

Latest episodes

  1. Episode · Sep 19, 2026

    The most successful Paralympian (opens the original)

    Episode notes · Positive tone

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    The American swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson is the most decorated Paralympian in history. Across seven games, Trischa, who was born blind, has won 55 medals. In that time, she also saw the Paralympics go through drastic changes, as competitors campaigned to get similar privileges and rights as Olympic athletes. In 2024, Trischa shared her memories with Matt Pintus. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take yo

  2. Episode · Sep 12, 2026

    The first Rubik's Cube world champion (opens the original)

    Episode notes · Positive tone

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    On 5 June 1982, a teenage refugee from Vietnam became the first Rubik's Cube world champion. Representing the United States, 16-year-old Minh Thai took on contestants from 19 countries at the championship in Hungary. He made history by solving the cube in 22.95 seconds. He tells Helen Ledwick about his first encounter with the iconic puzzle, his journey from Los Angeles to Budapest, and a last-minute obstacle that nearly stopped him from taking part. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archi

  3. Episode · Sep 5, 2026

    Norway v England 1981: 'Your boys took a hell of a beating' (opens the original)

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    In 1981, Norway pulled off one of the biggest shocks in football history, beating England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo. But the match is remembered just as much for what happened after the final whistle. Norwegian radio commentator Bjørge Lillelien, caught up in the joy of the moment, delivered one of the most famous lines in sports broadcasting: “Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Your boys took a hell of a beating!” His breathless commentary on NRK became a national treasure in Norway,

  4. Episode · Aug 29, 2026

    ‘Baby Jet’ Ghana’s sprinting superstar (opens the original)

    Episode notes · Positive tone

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    Alice Annum won two silver medals at the 1970 Commonwealth Games. It led to her becoming known as ‘Baby Jet’. She was also the first woman to represent Ghana at the Olympics and competed in the 100m, 200m and long jump. Years after her accomplishments the nickname ‘Baby Jet’ was taken on by the Ghanian footballer, Asamoah Gyan. In 2024, She told Gill Kearsley the story of how she got, and reclaimed, her nickname. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is

  5. Episode · Aug 21, 2026

    Creating the English Premier League (opens the original)

    Episode notes · Positive tone

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    In the 1990s, the biggest clubs in English football decided to form a new league to bring in more revenue. Spearheaded by the ‘big five’ of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, the top teams broke away from the Football League in 1992. Backed by the Football Association, the Premier League began on the 15 August 1992, after securing a $500 million TV deal. David Dein was the vice-chairman of Arsenal in 1992 and was one of the main drivers of the new league. He te

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