How ‘ICARUS’ uncovered Russia's secret doping industry

ICARUS is a 2017 American documentary that explores how filmmaker Bryan Fogel has the option of doping to win an amateur cycling race.

In making the documentary, Fogel steps into a major scandal after getting help from Grigory Rodchenkov, the head of the Russian anti-doping laboratory.

The documentary was awarded the US Documentary Special Jury Award and an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

While Bryan Fogel was investigating the world of illegal doping in sports, Fogel connected with Russian Scientist Grigory Rodchenkov.

Picture – YouTube – CBS Mornings

Rodchenkov, the director of Russian anti-doping, explained how he could create a plan for Fogel to take performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), helping evade detection from drug testing.

Picture – YouTube – ABC News

Fogel discovered the way of testing drugs at the time was insufficient, proving that with the right help, any athlete could cheat and take PEDs.

As Fogel and Rodchenkov became friends, the Russian scientist revealed that Russia had a state-sponsored Olympic doping program that he oversaw.

Picture – YouTube – ABC News

The systematic and state-sponsored doping in Russia has led to 48 Olympic medals being stripped off Russian athletes. Russia as a country has had the most competitors caught for doping at the Olympics, with more than 150.

After what the documentary uncovered, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned Russia from all major sporting events in 2019, including the Olympic games, for four years.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that clean Russian athletes may take part in international competitions under a neutral flag.

After exposing the Russian doping program, Fogel brought Rodchenkov to America for protection. Using his knowledge, Rodchenkov spoke to the US Department of Justice, alleging Russia had been cheating for decades.

Picture – YouTube – ABC News

Rodchenkov testified on camera that at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, his team switched the steroid-tainted urine of the Russian team with clean samples.

Picture – YouTube – ABC News

The Russian anti-doping director was allowed special access to the London 2012 laboratory. His visit to London was critical in finding ways to help the Russian athletes cheat in London and Sochi in 2014.

The Russian scientist provided spreadsheets, emails, and all types of incriminating evidence of Russia's involvement with doping.

According to espn.com, Ed Stier, a former state and federal prosecutor who is the filmmakers' legal counsel, said, "If they find a way to walk away from [the evidence], it's going to be disastrous."

After exposing the Russian Government, US Law Enforcement placed Rodchenkov under protective custody after the suspicious deaths of his two former associates.

According to espn.com, Jim Swartz said, "You often hear people being fatalistic about doping: 'Let them all dope.' They see this, and you don't hear that anymore."