"We watch them with awe and astonishment. Years of training are culminating in a few minutes - sometimes in a few seconds - of tremendous endeavour..."

The travel writer and novelist Colin Thubron considers how we have to 'challenge' to achieve in the sporting world, and this was always so, right from ancient times..

Five authors choose a word to suggest sporting
endeavour and Colin Thubron muses on 'challenge'

Producer Duncan Minshull

First broadcast in June 2012. Show less