Icarus 2017

Lance Armstrong, celebrated for clinching the Tour de France title seven times, seemed invincible as he never failed a doping test—despite being subjected to over 500 examinations. It wasn’t until his teammates turned whistleblowers that the truth surfaced, highlighting the glaring flaws within the anti-doping system. As Don Catlin, the head of the drug testing labs, asserts, “all athletes take drugs, and with the right knowledge, one can consistently bypass the tests.”

In 2014, amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel embarked on a grueling challenge at the Haute Route, a grueling seven-day, 1000-mile cycling race. Despite competing clean, he found himself exhausted and ranked 14th. In an audacious attempt to expose the vulnerability of drug testing, he approached Catlin to devise a personalized doping strategy, intended to enable him to outsmart any tests and claim victory. Yet, as Catlin reconsidered his involvement fearing for his reputation, he directed Bryan towards Grigory Rodchenkov, the director of Russia’s national anti-doping lab.

Embarking on an investigation into the hidden realm of sports doping, Bryan quickly befriended Rodchenkov, who divulged the means to take banned substances clandestinely, allowing Bryan to showcase the inadequacies in current testing methods. With instant improvements in his performance, Fogel was instructed by Rodchenkov to freeze his urine at calculated intervals and was led to understand the sophisticated doping strategies employed by Armstrong.

As Bryan trained, his bond with Grigory deepened, resulting in shocking revelations about a state-sponsored doping initiative from Russia. Following international media scrutiny regarding the allegations, when WADA’s president, Craig Reedie, felt compelled to act, their investigation led to the commission being established. Even as investigations circled Grigory, he remained an integral part of Bryan’s doping regimen.

In May 2015, Grigory visited the U.S. to retrieve urine samples from Bryan, unveiling his history with Catlin and the elaborate training he underwent in the American anti-doping system. As Bryan prepared for the Haute Route just weeks away, Grigory’s guidance on when to administer his final doses proved vital. Although Bryan managed a commendable 11th position in the initial stage of the race, equipment failures sent him spiraling down the ranks, ultimately finishing 27th.

By November 2015, a commission report confirmed widespread corruption and systematic doping practices in Russia, resulting in Grigory facing dismissal from his position. As pressures mounted, he warned Bryan about potential danger from Russian authorities. Amid escalating tensions, Grigory’s plea for escape intensified when subsequent natural threats emerged, culminating in Bryan arranging for his safe arrival in the U.S.

Once safely in Los Angeles, their collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, alongside the New York Times, exposed decades of Olympic fraud by the Russian state, alleging that a startling number of medals won were tainted by their doping strategies. Grigory detailed the intricacies of the doping programs, revealing historical connections to former programs that had exploited athletes while maintaining an image of integrity.

As the 2016 Olympics loomed, Grigory’s precarious situation escalated, highlighted by the mysterious death of a colleague and threats looming overhead. In a dramatic turn, he opted to go public, divulging details before being summoned to testify before a grand jury. His revelations regarding the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, including scandalous state-sanctioned doping operations, further unveiled the depth of the Olympic fraud.

Thanks to extensive evidence provided by Grigory—including spreadsheets and emails—WADA was forced to take action, resulting in an unprecedented ban on the entire Russian Track and Field team from participating in the Olympic games. The world watched as Grigory entered protective custody, stricken by the realization that Russia’s denial of culpability persisted, despite overwhelming evidence. The film concludes with the stark reminder of Grigory’s ongoing plight while the Russian athletics team prepares for the 2018 events amidst continued global scrutiny.