Sporting Witness BBC World Service

Alex Higgins was the two-times World Snooker champion from Northern Ireland whose speedy style of play helped turn the game into a must-watch sport.
But, away from the table, he was a wild boy – whose gambling, drinking and womanising eventually led to his downfall.
He died in 2010 at the age of 61.
Producer Vicky Farncombe uses archive interviews to tell the story of Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins in his own words.
(Photo: Alex Higgins. Credit: Getty Images)

It's 20 years since Mianne Bagger became the first transgender athlete to play in pro golf tournament.
The Danish golfer made history by competing at the 2004 Women’s Australian Open. It was a landmark moment for trans sport and made headlines around the world.
In 2021, Mianne Bagger spoke to Robbie Wojciechowski.
(Photo: Bagger at the 2004 Women's Australian Open. Credit: Getty Images.)

In 2007, 52-year-old Slovenian endurance swimmer Martin Strel became the first person to swim the entire length of the Amazon River.
It took him 66 days to complete and, over the course of his journey, Strel faced threats such as pirates, sharks, and dengue fever. At 3,300 miles, it’s the longest open swim in history.
He shares his experience of the swim with Hunter Charlton. It’s an Ember Audio production for BBC World Service.
(Photo: Martin Strel pictured in London in 2009. Credit: Getty Images)

A bonus episode from the Amazing Sport Stories podcast – The Black 14. Sport, racism and protests are about to change the lives of “the Black 14” American footballers. It’s 1969 in the United States. They’ve arrived on scholarships at the University of Wyoming to play for its Cowboys American football team. It was a predominantly white college. The team is treated like a second religion. Then, the players make a decision to take a stand against racism in a game against another university.

This is episode one of a four-part season from the Amazing Sport Stories podcast.

Content warning: This episode contains lived experiences which involve the use of strong racist language

Roberto Duran and Dave Radford were from different worlds.
Roberto, a champion boxer considered one of the greatest to ever step into the ring. Dave, a part-time plasterer in the North of England, boxing in leisure centres and social clubs.
But in 1997, a series of unlikely events saw Dave down his tools, fly to South Africa and fight Duran in front of 10,000 people.
Johnny I’Anson speaks to Dave and his trainer James Walker about that memorable night.
(Photo: The fighters in action. Credit: Walter Dhladhla/AFP/Getty Images)

In 1980, Roland Butcher became the first black cricketer to represent England. It was in a one day match against Australia.
Born in Barbados, his first tour was against his home region of the West Indies.
He’s been speaking to Claire Bowes about his experience and getting caught up in plans for a controversial rebel tour to South Africa.
(Photo: Roland Butcher. Credit: Allsport/Getty Images)