The Weight of Gold (HBO Documentary)

(2020)

Synopsis

From HBO Sports comes a poignant, much-needed documentary look at the widespread mental health issues among Olympic athletes, exposing the lack of resources in place to help them sustain life beyond their sports. Directed and executive produced by filmmaker Brett Rapkin – and narrated by the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps – The Weight of Gold features profound interviews with top Olympic athletes who open up about the crippling depression rampant among competitors – particularly after the Games are over. The Olympians, including Phelps, who speaks extensively about his personal battles with mental health, explain how debilitating the extreme pressures of competition, feelings of inadequacy, and financial burdens can be – and ultimately mourn the tragic fate that these circumstances have brought to peers who have taken their own lives. A timely and honest reflection on mental health in athletics, The Weight of Gold brings to light the life-threatening struggles of Olympic athletes, giving this often- overlooked crisis the attention it deserves.

Cast

Jeremy Bloom, David Boudia, Sasha Cohen, Gracie Gold, Lolo Jones