Ten Second Showdown

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Allan Wells

20240708

The explosive drama of a 100m sprint makes it one of those events that seems to transcend sport. Like the world heavyweight boxing championships, the crown of fastest man or woman in the world has an iconic status, drawing people in – captivating even those who might never watch another athletics event in their life.

For decades, legendary commentator Mike Costello described these mini blockbusters live on BBC radio. But that 10 seconds only tells part of the story. In this series he also explores what went on behind the races.

In episode one, sport and international politics collide with the US leading a boycott of the Moscow 1980 Olympics. Scotland's Allan Wells is under huge pressure from the UK government to stay away. But he refuses - setting up a 10 second showdown in the Central Lenin Stadium with his Cuban rivals.

PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO

PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

Defying Thatcher to race behind the Iron Curtain

Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint.

The 100m race at the 1980 Moscow Olympics took place against the backdrop of geopolitical tension and a US-led boycott.

Ben Johnson

20240709

When Ben Johnson surged over the finish line in the 100m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, it seemed that inside a world record-breaking 9.79 seconds he had settled his bitter rivalry with Carl Lewis once and for all. But then it all began to fall apart.

At 4am, the phone rang in the hotel room of the Colin Hart, who was covering the Olympics for The Sun. 'There's a major story about to break', the bleary-eyed Hart was told. Shortly afterwards, BBC host Des Lynam delivered the bombshell news. Johnson had tested positive for Stanozylol, a banned performance-enhancing steroid.

In this episode of Ten Second Showdown, Mike Costello hears from people who were on the front line as one of the biggest drugs scandals of all time unfolded.

This is the dramatic story of the 100m that become known as the dirtiest race in history.

PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO

PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint.

Ben Johnson's 100m victory over Carl Lewis at Seoul in 1988 was spectacular - but the events that followed were even more dramatic.

Florence Griffith Joyner

20240710

In the summer of 1988, Florence Griffith Joyner - better known as FloJo - ran times the world had never seen before.

And she did it wearing outfits the world of track and field had never seen before - with her vibrant one-legged suits and brightly-painted nails inspiring a future generation of athletes.

In this episode of Ten Second Showdown - a series telling the stories behind some of the most iconic 100m races of all time - Mike Costello takes us to the Seoul Olympics, and the jaw-dropping world record FloJo had set two months earlier.

PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO

PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

Speed, style - and suspicion.

Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint.

The sprinter whose trail-blazing outfits were matched by her breathtaking speed over the summer of 1988.

Jonnie Peacock

20240711

Nineteen-year-old Jonnie Peacock crouches in his blocks as 80,000 spectators fall silent. He knows the difference between triumph and disaster will be about the time it takes to blink an eye.

You sit there, and you think - in 10 seconds, this is going to be done. Four years of my life,' he recalls.

In Ten Second Showdown, Mike Costello revisits some of the most iconic 100m races of all time. This time he's at London 2012 for the culmination of Thriller Thursday - perhaps the greatest night in Paralympic history.

Mike speaks to Jonnie Peacock and his co-commentator from that night, Tanni Grey-Thompson.

PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO

PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

Thriller Thursday in Team GB's golden summer.

Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint.

The men's T44 100m at London 2012 was perhaps the greatest night in Paralympic history.

Usain Bolt

20240712

There's something special about the 100m. Even for those who don't watch athletics, it's one of those contests that seems to transcend sport.

In Ten Second Showdown, Mike Costello has been exploring the stories that lie behind the races.

This time, he takes us to Beijing and a man who did the 100m unlike anyone else. The 2008 Olympics was when Usain Bolt became a global superstar, showboating over the line as she smashed his own world record.

Mike speaks to Bolt's agent about what makes him tick, a photographer who captured the iconic photo of Bolt crossing the line - and hears what it's like to race against the great Jamaican.

PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO

PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

Showboating to a new world record.

Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint.

The moment Usain Bolt stunned the world - and created an iconic sports photo - by cruising to a 100m world record.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
Allan Wells	20240708	The explosive drama of a 100m sprint makes it one of those events that seems to transcend sport. Like the world heavyweight boxing championships, the crown of fastest man or woman in the world has an iconic status, drawing people in – captivating even those who might never watch another athletics event in their life. For decades, legendary commentator Mike Costello described these mini blockbusters live on BBC radio. But that 10 seconds only tells part of the story. In this series he also explores what went on behind the races. In episode one, sport and international politics collide with the US leading a boycott of the Moscow 1980 Olympics. Scotland's Allan Wells is under huge pressure from the UK government to stay away. But he refuses - setting up a 10 second showdown in the Central Lenin Stadium with his Cuban rivals. PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY Defying Thatcher to race behind the Iron Curtain Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint. The 100m race at the 1980 Moscow Olympics took place against the backdrop of geopolitical tension and a US-led boycott.
Ben Johnson	20240709	When Ben Johnson surged over the finish line in the 100m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, it seemed that inside a world record-breaking 9.79 seconds he had settled his bitter rivalry with Carl Lewis once and for all. But then it all began to fall apart. At 4am, the phone rang in the hotel room of the Colin Hart, who was covering the Olympics for The Sun. 'There's a major story about to break', the bleary-eyed Hart was told. Shortly afterwards, BBC host Des Lynam delivered the bombshell news. Johnson had tested positive for Stanozylol, a banned performance-enhancing steroid. In this episode of Ten Second Showdown, Mike Costello hears from people who were on the front line as one of the biggest drugs scandals of all time unfolded. This is the dramatic story of the 100m that become known as the dirtiest race in history. PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint. Ben Johnson's 100m victory over Carl Lewis at Seoul in 1988 was spectacular - but the events that followed were even more dramatic.
Florence Griffith Joyner	20240710	In the summer of 1988, Florence Griffith Joyner - better known as FloJo - ran times the world had never seen before. And she did it wearing outfits the world of track and field had never seen before - with her vibrant one-legged suits and brightly-painted nails inspiring a future generation of athletes. In this episode of Ten Second Showdown - a series telling the stories behind some of the most iconic 100m races of all time - Mike Costello takes us to the Seoul Olympics, and the jaw-dropping world record FloJo had set two months earlier. PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY Speed, style - and suspicion. Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint. The sprinter whose trail-blazing outfits were matched by her breathtaking speed over the summer of 1988.
Jonnie Peacock	20240711	Nineteen-year-old Jonnie Peacock crouches in his blocks as 80,000 spectators fall silent. He knows the difference between triumph and disaster will be about the time it takes to blink an eye. You sit there, and you think - in 10 seconds, this is going to be done. Four years of my life,' he recalls. In Ten Second Showdown, Mike Costello revisits some of the most iconic 100m races of all time. This time he's at London 2012 for the culmination of Thriller Thursday - perhaps the greatest night in Paralympic history. Mike speaks to Jonnie Peacock and his co-commentator from that night, Tanni Grey-Thompson. PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY Thriller Thursday in Team GB's golden summer. Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint. The men's T44 100m at London 2012 was perhaps the greatest night in Paralympic history.
Usain Bolt	20240712	There's something special about the 100m. Even for those who don't watch athletics, it's one of those contests that seems to transcend sport. In Ten Second Showdown, Mike Costello has been exploring the stories that lie behind the races. This time, he takes us to Beijing and a man who did the 100m unlike anyone else. The 2008 Olympics was when Usain Bolt became a global superstar, showboating over the line as she smashed his own world record. Mike speaks to Bolt's agent about what makes him tick, a photographer who captured the iconic photo of Bolt crossing the line - and hears what it's like to race against the great Jamaican. PRESENTER: MIKE COSTELLO PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY Showboating to a new world record. Legendary commentator Mike Costello explores the explosive drama of the 100m sprint. The moment Usain Bolt stunned the world - and created an iconic sports photo - by cruising to a 100m world record.