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The Dark Side

Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit takes viewers inside the secret world of sports doping – and raises questions whether some of the biggest names in American sport are using banned substances.

Working with former British athlete Liam Collins as an undercover reporter, the programme penetrates the shadowy world of doctors, pharmacists and medical professionals who provide drugs and guidance to athletes trying to cheat the system.

The Dark Side begins in the Bahamas, where 37-year-old Collins is testing out his cover story. In order to get one last shot at Olympic glory in Rio, he is willing to dope himself up.

The investigation takes Collins to Vancouver, where he meets cutting-edge doping chemists and doctors. One provides him with a mountain of banned drugs.

Collins finally exposes a Texas-based pharmacist who alleges that major baseball and American football players are linked to banned substances.

  • Peter Charley
    Executive Producer
  • Deborah Davies
    Reporter / Writer
  • Jeremy Young
    Senior Producer
  • Kevin Hirten
    Producer
  • Craig Pennington
    Director of Photography
  • Nic Dove
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    49 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 27, 2015
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Bahamas, Canada, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 2017 New York Festivals
    Las Vegas
    United States
    Current Affairs - Gold Medal
  • 2017 New York Festivals
    Las Vegas
    United States
    Sports and Recreation - Gold Medal
Distribution Information
  • Aljazeera Media Network
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights, Internet
Director