Icarus

Icarus

Year: 2017

Runtime: 121 min

Language: English

SportThrillerDocumentary

In this gripping sports-thriller-documentary hybrid, a small town's bid for wind power energy sparks a complex web of relationships between a driven politician, a young intern with a bright future, a farmer fighting to save her land, her son struggling to find his place, and a construction manager seeking to build a new life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Icarus yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Icarus (2017)
Trace every key event in Icarus (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Lance Armstrong's Dominance

Lance Armstrong, previously revered as an exceptional athlete, clinched the Tour de France title seven times. Despite being subjected to more than 500 doping tests throughout his career, he maintained an unblemished record, leading many to believe in his remarkable clean performance.

2

Whistleblower Teammates

The illusion of Armstrong's invincibility began to crumble as his teammates became whistleblowers, disclosing the systematic doping practices that were entrenched in professional cycling. This pivotal moment shone a light on the weaknesses and flaws of the anti-doping system prevailing at that time.

3

Bryan Fogel's Challenge

In 2014, amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel embarked on an intense challenge by participating in the Haute Route, a grueling seven-day, 1000-mile cycling race. Despite competing without using performance-enhancing drugs, Bryan finished in a disappointing 14th place, leading him to seek ways to improve his performance.

2014 Haute Route
4

Seeking Doping Strategies

Determined to expose the vulnerabilities in drug testing, Bryan approached Don Catlin, head of the drug testing labs, to help him formulate a personalized doping strategy. However, Catlin hesitated to proceed, fearing the implications it could have on his reputation.

5

Introduction to Grigory Rodchenkov

Reluctant to assist Bryan, Catlin introduced him to Grigory Rodchenkov, the head of Russia's anti-doping lab. This connection led Bryan into the hidden world of doping, where he learned how athletes could cheat drug tests while appearing clean.

6

Exploring State-Sponsored Doping

As Bryan trained with Grigory's guidance, he learned about Russia's state-sponsored doping program and became embroiled in a web of deception and performance enhancement. This revelation not only opened his eyes to the realities of doping but also forged a strong bond between him and Grigory.

7

Grigory's Visit and Urine Samples

In May 2015, Grigory traveled to the U.S. to collect urine samples from Bryan, revealing insights about his prior work with Don Catlin and the intricacies of manipulating the American anti-doping system. Their cooperation was vital as Bryan prepared for his competitive comeback.

May 2015 United States
8

Haute Route Results

As the Haute Route approached, Grigory's advice significantly influenced Bryan’s performance, but technical issues including equipment failures led to a disappointing finish. Ultimately, Bryan placed 27th, a far cry from the success he aimed to achieve.

Haute Route
9

Corruption Exposed

By November 2015, a commission report confirmed extensive corruption within the Russian doping landscape, which placed Grigory's career in jeopardy. With mounting pressures and potential threats from Russian authorities, he advised Bryan about active dangers in their doping endeavor.

November 2015
10

Arranging Grigory's Escape

Faced with rising danger from Russian authorities, Grigory begged for help to escape, prompting Bryan to arrange Grigory's safe passage to the U.S. This marked a critical moment in their partnership as they both sought to reveal the truth behind rampant doping.

United States
11

Collaboration with Authorities

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Bryan and Grigory collaborated with the U.S. Department of Justice and The New York Times to unearth decades of state-sponsored doping within the Olympic framework. The revelations hinted at the enormity of the breach of trust in sports.

Los Angeles
12

Grigory Goes Public

As the 2016 Olympics neared, Grigory's situation became increasingly precarious, especially following the mysterious death of a colleague. In a dramatic move, he decided to go public with his knowledge, which placed him in the spotlight and under intense scrutiny.

2016
13

WADA's Investigation

Grigory's exposé provided key evidence that WADA needed to investigate further, leading to unprecedented sanctions against the entire Russian Track and Field team. This monumental decision sparked global conversations about doping and accountability in sports.

14

Grigory in Protective Custody

After providing extensive evidence regarding the doping programs, Grigory was placed in protective custody due to the high threat level he faced. As he awaited results from the ongoing investigations, he witnessed Russia's continued denial of wrongdoing, even as the evidence mounted.

15

Impact on Russian Athletics

While Grigory remained under protection, the specter of the doping scandal hung over the Russian athletics team as they prepared for the upcoming 2018 events. The situation emphasized the ongoing battle between truth, integrity in sports, and the dark realities of doping.

2018

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:42

Similar Movies to Icarus
Discover movies like Icarus that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.