SPORTLAB SEDOC:
THE ROAD TO PARIJS
THE STORY.
For many athletes, it is the highest goal: representing your country at the Olympic Games. This is where you want to perform at the top of your ability and stand on the podium with a medal around your neck. But the road to get there is one with ups and downs, sacrifice, suffering and where perseverance is put to the test.
In Sportlab Sedoc: the road to Paris, Gregory Sedoc follows five athletes in the process of qualifying for the Games in Paris in the summer of ‘24. They all have their own challenges, setbacks and victories, but they have one thing in common. They do everything they can to make their Olympic dream come true.
THE PRODUCTION.
For half a year we followed Karolien Florijn (skiff), Eythora Thorsdottir (gymnastics), Tom van de Bogaard (BMX freestyle), Jeffrey Hoogland (track cycling) and Terrence Agard (athletics) on their way to the Olympic Games in Paris. We followed them during training, qualifying competitions and during private moments. They gave me an insight into what top-level sport really looks like, both on the track and at home. The monomaniacal life, the physical pain during every training, the mandatory rest at home while friends go to the pub, the obsession with winning. But we don't see this back of the medal when we honour athletes on the podium. As Jeffrey put it so beautifully: "There are more Olympic dreams that are crushed than the amount that come true." That’s quite a reality check.
My role
Scenario, director, second camera, pre-edits
Release
July 2024
Length
4 x 40 minutes
Film locations
the Netherlands, South Africa, Italy, Egypt and Curaçao
Year of production
2023 - 2024
Broadcaster
AVROTROS
Production house
Mediawan Skyhigh
More info on
www.avrotros.nl
"More Olympic dreams get crushed than come true."
THE STILLS.
