Watch Icarus

Icarus, a 2017 documentary film directed by Bryan Fogel, takes the audience on a thrilling ride. The movie begins as a simple exploration of the world of performance-enhancing drugs in sports but quickly turns into an explosive exposé of the Russian doping scandal. The central character of the story is Bryan Fogel himself, a bicyclist who sets out to test the limits of his own athletic ability by competing in the world's toughest bicycle race - the Haute Route. Fogel, who is not a professional athlete, wants to know if he can successfully compete against those who rely on performance-enhancing drugs to win.

To achieve his goal, he turns to Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, a Russian scientist and former director of Moscow's anti-doping lab. Dr. Rodchenkov is known as the mastermind behind Russia's state-sponsored doping program, which helped Russian athletes to win numerous medals in the 2012 Olympics.

Following Dr. Rodchenkov's advice, Fogel starts taking a cycle of banned substances to prepare for the Haute Route. The movie provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of sports doping, detailing the complex processes athletes use to cheat their way to victory.

However, the movie takes an unexpected turn when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) uncovers evidence that the Russian government has been systematically doping Russian athletes for years. Dr. Rodchenkov, who is the prime suspect, decides to flee Russia and seek asylum in the United States. As the plot unfolds, Fogel becomes increasingly entangled in the story, serving as a key witness in a global investigation into the Russian doping scandal.

Armed with covert recording equipment, Fogel meets with Dr. Rodchenkov, who reveals the extent of the Russian doping scheme. He explains how he and other scientists were responsible for administering steroids, masking agents, and other performance-enhancing substances to Russian athletes. Rodchenkov also details how he switched athletes' urine samples to evade detection, and how he ultimately was forced to flee Russia for his own safety.

Throughout the movie, the audience is left on the edge of their seats as they watch a shocking and intricate tale of corruption, deceit, and determination. Fogel's journey takes him from the world of amateur sports to the halls of Congress, where he testifies in front of a U.S. congressional committee.

The story of Icarus is not only about the Russian doping scandal; it is about the courage and tenacity of the individuals who risk everything to tell the truth. Fogel and Rodchenkov risk their lives and careers to expose the wrongdoing of the Russian government and an international cheating conspiracy.

Icarus ends with a sobering reminder that doping is a widespread problem not only in sports but in society as a whole. The Russian doping scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, and the movie serves as a warning that more needs to be done to combat this epidemic.

In conclusion, Icarus is an exceptional documentary that delves deep into the world of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. The movie is informative, thrilling, and inspiring, captivating its audience from start to finish. With its daring storytelling and eye-opening revelations, Icarus is a must-see for anyone interested in sports, politics, and justice.

Icarus is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 68.