Netflix series review: Sprint 2 The World’s Fastest Humans

The good, the bad and the ugly

I wrote a similar version to this review over at Athletics Illustrated, I feel that it is worth publishing to a different audience. For non-athletics watchers, you may find the series intriquing.

“Sequels are not done for the audience or cinema or the filmmakers. It’s for the distributor, the film becomes a brand.

— Francis Ford Coppola.

Sprint 2, the second series shot by Box to Box Films about world-class sprinting hit the small screen via Netflix on November 13, 2024.

Both Sprints (seasons 1 and 2) were produced in a collaboration between Netflix and World Athletics. The purpose was to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the athletes and races of the Diamond League, World Athletics Championships, and Olympic Games. In the process, storytelling was at stake.

Sprint debuted with six episodes on July 2, 2024, covering the 2023 Diamond League and 2023 World Athletics Championships. The series’ sequel covered athletics at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Season 2

Season 2 directors — having already established the characters during season 1 — moved on to covering the coach’s perspective. However, four protagonists were featured in the lens eye: American sprinters Noah Lyles and Gabby Thomas, Saint Lucien sprinter Julien Alfred, and American coach Dennis Mitchell.

Lyles provided the usual bravado and showmanship, the non-stop braggadocio and the first-person perspective on how great it is to be Lyle. Borrowing, if you will, a page from Muhammad Ali’s book, but just not as profound or poetic. Of the group of athletes featured, Lyles is the most divisive. Viewers either dislike him immensely or love him to death. There is no middle ground. The sport benefits from his persona.

Alfred is easy to like. She is humble and carries Saint Lucia on her back for the entire Olympic build-up and Games. She becomes the first-ever Olympic medallist from the tiny country. She’s queen now.

Sprint 2 leverages what made Sprint 1 an enjoyable viewing experience. However, being so close to the global stage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, potential drama due to the known results may have been lost.

Whereas with Sprint 1, the series focused on the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships. The meet was nearly a year in the rear-view mirror. Additionally, non-athletics fans will watch the Olympic sprints live, they are not watching the world championships. Therefore Sprint 1 was full of surprises for new track fans. Sprint 2 may have been too fresh.

Editorial choices

Painfully obvious were the editorial decisions that must have been driven by someone’s agenda, World Athletics? A shoe company? If not, who?

For example, two of the most dramatic events during the athletics part of the Paris Olympics, was the US men’s team once again fumbling a baton pass in the 4 x 100 metre relay. And, at the same time, Canada, captured a dramatic victory ending with Andre De Grasse on the anchor leg.

These two events should have received as much focus as the other sprints. This was not even mentioned.

The bigger question is why was De Grasse, a multi-Olympic medallist ignored? It was not that long ago; he was the succession plan to Usain Bolt and a good-looking kid with a charming smile. Nothing. Bolt and De Grasse had a bromance experience before the world’s eyes during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The focus on Gabby Thomas was well done. She is working on her Ph.D., is likeable and presents well. Thomas is also an incredibly competitive athlete. She will smile her nice, girl-next-door smile, then eat competitors alive on the track. She is fierce.

There was less of American drama queen Sha’Carri Richardson. There was no mention of her alleged budding romance with fellow American sprinter Christian Coleman. Even though neither of the two has confirmed anything, the social media hints and teasing are enough to set the IG-verse alight.

Why was there a focus on Dennis Mitchell?

Richardson’s coach Dennis Mitchell tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs when he was an athlete.

In 1998, Mitchell explained that he tested positive for too much testosterone by claiming the night before the test he drank five beers and had sex with his wife four times. “It was her birthday; the lady deserved a treat.”

During the scandalous Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative investigation, he testified about receiving Human Growth Hormone injections from his coach, Trevor Graham.

In 2021, Mitchell was recorded by an undercover reporter that he (Mitchell) could get him steroids.

Mitchell comes across as a good guy in both Sprint series, but the truth is, he is a doper. Is this what World Athletics is looking to promote? Is Richardson guilty by association?

“Y’all don’t have to worry about any doping situations coming from me. I back him 1,000 per cent.”

Richardson is the seventh-fastest 100m sprinter in history. Florence Griffith-Joyner was suspected of doping, as her voice dropped, and she took on masculine qualities. She eventually clocked the world record of 10.49 seconds, which continues to stand 36 years later. Flo-Jo died young. Marion Jones sits sixth with her 10.65-second performance. She was forced to admit to doping to federal agents prior to the 2000 Olympic Games. Jones spent time in jail.

Jeter had a suspicious trajectory during her career.

Jeter was a modest sprinter throughout high school and college. She turned pro after college but was too slow to earn the big money, so she waited tables at Olive Garden. By the time she reached age 27 her personal best was still just a modest 11.49 seconds.

Two years hence, she recorded the second fastest time in history (behind only alleged drug cheat Griffith-Joyner).

While Jeter did not test positive for performance-enhancing drugs, her physique changed to be more masculine, around the time of her big jumps in performance. She goes like Flo-Jo.

Coleman missed 18 months because he was suspended for missing at least three tests in 12 months. This is equal to a positive doping test.

Time to feature middle distances?

Perhaps it is time now for World Athletics, Netflix and Box to Box Films to focus on middle-distance racing. The 1500m would be a good choice. The surprising losses by Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen to Jake Wightman and then Josh Kerr both of Great Britain make for good cinema. Cole Hocker’s shocking win at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games provides a favourable look for America if that is what the storytellers are after here.

Sure the 1500m does not display as furious and dramatic as the 100m sprint, however, the journey to the start line is the story. The drama of the finishes is the icing. Ingebrigtsen with his unique family story and dominance and failures in certain situations should make for good scripting. Some investigative research will unearth the scandal around Kenyan dominance in the event. When the doping control officers, dispatched by the Athletics Integrity Unit come knocking, like cockroaches that scamper when the light is turned on, the Kenyans disappear.

Sprint 1 was a valuable promotion of the sport for sprint fans and non-fans alike. Sprint 2, while nearly as good, is as Coppola said, just brand now.

“There’s nothing wrong with doing sequels, they’re just easier to sell.”

— JJ Abrams.