ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
After current US Olympic Bobsled Captain Steven Holcomb suddenly dies from a lethal combination of pills and alcohol just days after he interviews him, veteran sports filmmaker Brett Rapkin attempts to interview other top Olympic athletes about the subject of mental health. It turns out to be something that clearly needed to be discussed.

SYNOPSIS
Over 3.6 BILLION people globally tune in to the Olympic Games. What most of these viewers do not know is that, like one in five Americans, many of these athletes are suffering from mental health issues.

THE WEIGHT OF GOLD is a new documentary project by Emmy Award-winning writer/director Brett Rapkin that shines light on this crucial issue.

THE WEIGHT OF GOLD features first-person interviews with many of America's most decorated Olympians including: Swimmer Michael Phelps, Speed Skater Apolo Ohno, Snowboarder Shaun White, Figure Skater Sasha Cohen, Ski Racer Bode Miller, Freestyle Skier Jeremy Bloom, Hurdler/Bobsledder Lolo Jones, Skeleton Racer Katie Uhlaender, and many others.

The genesis of the documentary was a difficult one: Brett conducted an emotional interview with US Men’s Olympic Bobsled Captain Steven Holcomb in late April 2017, just twelve days before he died. Rather than abandon the project after Steven’s unexpected death, the filmmaker decided to broaden the subject and honor his legacy by telling not only Steven’s own story but those of some of the staggering number of his Team USA brothers and sisters who have also struggled with mental health. Because our Olympians are held in such high esteem, the honest sharing of their personal stories is certain to have broad appeal and lasting impact in both improving the resources available for Olympians while also reducing stigma for the general public.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

DIRECTOR Brett Rapkin
PRODUCER Brett Rapkin

WEBSITE podiumsportsmedia.com