Oscar-winning director Bryan Fogel to address Play the Game 2019

Just as the Russian-international doping scandal is taking new twists and turns with suspicions raised over the test data handed out by Russia to WADA, key players in the international anti-doping debate confirm their presence at Play the Game 2019 in Colorado Springs from 13-16 October.

Bryan Fogel, director of the documentary 'Icarus' that received an Oscar for uncovering the systemic manipulation of the Russian anti-doping system, will share the fascinating story about how his movie suddenly became embroiled in the world’s biggest doping scandal. Just as the cameras are rolling, one of the lead characters, the head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, Grigory Rodchenkov, decides to seek exile in the USA after the outbreak of the Russian scandal.

Bryan Fogel will tell about his friendship with Rodchenkov in a session entitled ‘Is blowing the whistle worth the risk?’ where he is accompanied by other Russian doping whistleblowers Yuliya and Vitaly Stepanov, FIFA whistleblower Bonita Mersiades and undercover investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The evolving Russian-international scandal will also be discussed under the title ‘Anti-doping: What’s next for WADA?’ with some of the most prominent voices in the debate. The speakers include Beckie Scott, chair of WADA’s Athlete Committee, who has fought for the athletes’ perspectives on the handling of the Russian doping case. Travis Tygart, USADA’s CEO, who has become widely known not only for taking on American sports heroes like Marion Jones and Lance Armstrong, but also for demanding tough sanctions against Russia, will face the man who is probably in the hottest seat in international anti-doping today Yuriy Ganus, the director general of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). Michael Ask, who is thechair of iNADO and the CEO of Anti Doping Denmark, has recently made a public call for WADA and CAS to be more independent from sport and politics. Last, but not least, the journalist who exposed the whole scandal five years ago, investigative journalist and head of EyeOpening.Media, Hajo Seppelt will put a media perspective on the current challenges.