Watch The Weight of Gold

The Weight of Gold is a documentary film that explores the numerous struggles that Olympic athletes face both during and after their careers. The film focuses primarily on American Olympians, and features interviews with a number of prominent Olympic athletes from various different sports. These interviews are augmented with footage from various Olympics competitions, as well as archival footage from past interviews and events.

One of the key themes of the film is mental health. Many athletes suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues as a result of the enormous pressure and attention that comes with competing at the Olympic level. Several athletes in the film discuss their own struggles with mental health, and how they coped with the stress of competing. There is a particular focus on the tragic story of American bobsledder Steven Holcomb, who committed suicide after retiring from the sport.

Another major theme of the film is the high cost of Olympic competition. Many athletes leave their families and homes behind for years to travel and train for the games, and they often have to rely on their families for financial support. The film also explores the financial burden that comes with competing, including the high cost of equipment, travel, and training. This burden falls particularly heavily on athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds and developing countries, who often struggle to afford the expenses necessary to compete.

The film also touches on a number of other issues faced by Olympic athletes, including discrimination, injuries, and the pressure to perform. There are several examples given of athletes who faced discrimination due to their race, gender, or sexual orientation, and how this impacted their careers. Several athletes also talk about the physical toll that competing takes on their bodies, and the difficulty of recovering from injuries.

Overall, The Weight of Gold is a powerful and moving film that sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of the Olympics. While many people around the world are captivated by the spectacle and drama of the games, few are aware of the immense challenges that athletes face both during and after their careers. The film is a reminder that behind every gold medal and triumphant moment of glory, there is a human being struggling with their own fears and insecurities.

The Weight of Gold is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.