The explosive drama of the 100m sprint makes it an event that transcends sport.

Becoming the fastest man or woman in the world ensures a place in the history books and recognition beyond the athletics field.

For former BBC athletics commentator Mike Costello, it’s about the dramatic silence just before the starting pistol as he says: “All the noise, the talking and the hype have subsided – suddenly you can almost hear the athletes breathing.”

Costello presents  a new series on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, telling the stories behind some of the most iconic 100m races of all time.

And in case you’ve ever wondered, he finds out how it feels to race against Usain Bolt.

1980: Allan Wells races behind the Iron Curtain

Image source, Getty Images

After the US led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in protest at the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Margaret Thatcher’s government wanted UK athletes to follow suit and withdraw.

Allan Wells, an ex-long jumper who trained in an Edinburgh garage with his wife and coach Margot, resisted huge pressure from 10 Downing Street.