1 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:13,160 [thrilling music playing] 2 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:16,960 [Idris Elba] For thousands of years, 3 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:19,720 we've played sports to hone our skills. 4 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,880 In our pursuit to be faster, 5 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:27,960 jump higher, 6 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:31,040 become stronger, 7 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,720 our playgrounds have shaped the human race. 8 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:41,400 But in modern times, play has become a serious business. 9 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:44,320 After all, 10 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:46,520 sport is entertainment. 11 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:50,640 It delights audiences, 12 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:52,920 and where there is demand, 13 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:54,800 - there is opportunity. - [crowd cheering] 14 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,320 [Elba] The unstoppable rise of technology 15 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,520 and our human obsession with making money 16 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:05,040 has turned the games we play into big business. 17 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:07,440 [roars] 18 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:11,280 [roars] 19 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:27,960 [Elba] You might think the most profitable game played in Africa... 20 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:30,840 is football. 21 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,280 But in Senegal, that's not true. 22 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:39,480 Here, the richest athletes learn to fight. 23 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:46,640 This spectacular Senegalese game is a cross between boxing and wrestling. 24 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,760 The body is both a weapon and a target. 25 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:54,480 [grunts] 26 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,560 [Elba] Whilst ancient Greek wrestlers fought to please the gods, 27 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:02,160 these young men fight for glory. 28 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,880 And some serious money. 29 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:07,960 [grunting] 30 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:16,280 [Elba] These Dakar boys dream of being the next wrestling superhero. 31 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:25,160 They look up to rising stars like Junior, 32 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,000 who is hoping to be the first man from his village 33 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:30,800 to fight his way to the top. 34 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:37,760 [Junior, in Wolof] We don't believe in football. We believe in wrestling. 35 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:42,480 It is our national sport. We value it more than any other sports. 36 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:45,720 We want to become "the king of the arena." 37 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,600 We want to make profit from it and help others. 38 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:55,200 We depend on wrestling to build our life. 39 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:58,880 [Elba, in English] But to get to the top will be difficult. 40 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,320 At least the rules of the game are easy to learn. 41 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,760 If your head, bottom, or back touches the ground, 42 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:08,560 you're out. 43 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:12,840 [grunts] 44 00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:16,000 [Elba] Make no mistake, this is just practice. 45 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:18,120 During an actual match, 46 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,120 you're allowed to punch your opponent in the face 47 00:03:22,640 --> 00:03:23,800 with bare knuckles. 48 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:27,160 [percussive music playing] 49 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:32,120 [Elba] Meanwhile, the National Stadium is getting ready for a big match. 50 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:35,680 It was a $50 million gift from China, 51 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:39,720 securing their influence in a developing economy 52 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:44,160 and a foothold in one of the fastest-growing businesses in Africa. 53 00:03:48,640 --> 00:03:52,280 It is the biggest wrestling stadium in the world, 54 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:57,120 and on Fight Night, it will be brimming with paying spectators, gamblers, 55 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,600 and people selling food and merchandise. 56 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,720 An entire ecosystem of businesses. 57 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,280 No one is keener than the promoter 58 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,040 to make sure this event runs like clockwork. 59 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:15,880 Especially as he takes a 10% cut of ticket sales and merchandise. 60 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:22,800 [in French] Without sponsors, it is impossible to organize a big fight. 61 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:27,520 Because tomorrow is easily going to cost me $100,000. 62 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,840 There is no other country where you will find wrestling with punching. 63 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,560 You can only find it in Senegal. 64 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:42,440 It is a tradition that became a business. 65 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:43,960 Some wrestlers are now... 66 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:45,880 millionaires. 67 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:47,960 [yelling indistinctly in French] 68 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:54,320 [speaking in French] 69 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:00,720 In wrestling, it is all about money. 70 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,040 The wrestlers cost money. 71 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:05,840 Put "Construction" there, so I can see. 72 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,440 You have to pay the stadium $1,000. 73 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,800 You have to pay for publicity. Television and radio. 74 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:16,000 You have to pay for posters. You have to pay for merchandise. 75 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:17,400 You have to pay for fuel. 76 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:22,560 You have to pay all the people who help organize the event. 77 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:25,560 Everything is money. 78 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:31,560 [giving instructions indistinctly in French] 79 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:37,840 [continues giving instructions in French] 80 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:42,440 [Elba, in English] Junior's gym also makes a profit 81 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,600 by having a national star train here. 82 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,240 They're charging spectators to watch him train. 83 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:52,760 For Junior, the stakes are high. 84 00:05:54,280 --> 00:05:59,360 [Junior, in Wolof] It is a great day. It is a day I like best. I am preparing. 85 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:04,240 It is a day where I need victory, and I am working for that. 86 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:06,480 I need victory. 87 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:13,600 [Elba, in English] To win the victory he's dreamed of since he was a boy, 88 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:17,920 Junior will need skill, speed, and power. 89 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:25,920 [grunting] 90 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:31,280 [Elba] First prize is a staggering $15,000, 91 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,040 an astronomical amount for the average Dakare. 92 00:06:34,840 --> 00:06:39,720 But still, handing out autographs, attending press conferences, 93 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,880 and keeping up a relentless training regime is hard work. 94 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:01,120 [Junior, in Wolof] I just need victory next Sunday, just victory. 95 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:03,960 I would give my life for it. 96 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,120 [Elba, in English] Today is Junior's big day. 97 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,480 He starts by taking a mystical good luck bath. 98 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:36,360 The first of many rituals surrounding this playground. 99 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:44,000 The entire neighborhood flock to his home. 100 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:45,960 If Junior is successful, 101 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,560 he's promised to share his winnings with the whole community. 102 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:50,960 [clamoring] 103 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,400 To make sure he doesn't let anyone down, 104 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:55,880 Junior has spent his life savings 105 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,760 on the best potions and spells money can buy. 106 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:03,600 [clamoring] 107 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:13,160 [cheering] 108 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,840 [Elba] At the National Stadium, the riot police prepare for battle. 109 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:35,920 The hordes of fans tend to take fights that don't go their way to heart. 110 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,280 For Junior, the preparation is over. 111 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:52,200 It's time to see if he can fight his way into the history books. 112 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,000 [rapid-fire drumming] 113 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,240 [Elba] While the lion's share of the prize money 114 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:15,200 will be taken home by the winner of each fight, 115 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:18,840 the medicine men also take a cut. 116 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:23,480 Which is why they'll do anything to ensure their magic works. 117 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,160 Sometimes, the medicine men don't play by the rules. 118 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,160 The man running across the bottom of the ring 119 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,200 has just poured a potion on the opponent. 120 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:43,680 It's dirty play, and the fans don't like it. 121 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:48,960 This is why the riot police are always on standby. 122 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,400 [clamoring] 123 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:10,200 [Elba] The police send the most aggressive supporters home. 124 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:16,120 Meanwhile, Junior must keep his focus and patiently wait his turn. 125 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:23,880 The man in the red loincloth is his opponent. 126 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:31,640 Will Junior's muscles and magic bring victory or defeat? 127 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,240 The fight is on. 128 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:35,400 [whistle ringing] 129 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:43,320 [tense music playing] 130 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,360 [tense music intensifies] 131 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:58,560 - [crowd cheering] - [whistle rings] 132 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:17,920 [Elba] Junior has won 133 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:22,000 and is now on a path to become a member of the wealthy elite. 134 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:36,400 Huge audiences pay good money 135 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:40,240 to be absorbed in Junior's dangerous and thrilling playground. 136 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,560 The enormous stadium is designed for one thing only, 137 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,880 to make as much money as possible. 138 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:54,480 The bigger the spectacle, the bigger the business. 139 00:12:54,560 --> 00:12:58,560 And one playground that attracts millions of fans worldwide 140 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:00,440 is motor racing. 141 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,000 [engine revving] 142 00:13:03,680 --> 00:13:05,800 [Elba] An industry worth billions of dollars. 143 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:08,960 With, at its center, 144 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:13,000 a machine that has shaped the human race. 145 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:19,040 The car. 146 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:22,600 Developing and racing cars is not cheap, 147 00:13:22,680 --> 00:13:25,400 which is probably why its spiritual home 148 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,640 is one of the most expensive playgrounds of the world. 149 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,880 The tax paradise, Monaco. 150 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:38,480 Here, in the millionaires' boys club, 151 00:13:38,560 --> 00:13:42,920 professional driver Stoffel Vandoorne is practicing his moves. 152 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:45,760 From his home in Monaco, 153 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:48,920 he's preparing for the next big race. 154 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,800 And, ultimately, the world title. 155 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:54,400 He has come a long way. 156 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:58,520 [Stoffel] The very first time that I jumped in a go-kart, 157 00:13:59,680 --> 00:14:01,840 I was probably four or five years old. 158 00:14:04,680 --> 00:14:07,040 At such a young age, you do it for fun. 159 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,360 It was the speed, the adrenaline I was getting from it. 160 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:17,600 And really being the fastest guy on the circuit 161 00:14:17,680 --> 00:14:20,160 was really motivating me to continue that 162 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:23,920 and finally managed to make a professional career out of it. 163 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:27,880 [upbeat music playing] 164 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:33,600 [Elba] Recently, Stoffel left Formula One 165 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:36,440 to compete in its more innovative cousin, 166 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:37,600 Formula E. 167 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:40,840 Instead of dirty fossil fuels, 168 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:43,920 it's electricity that feeds these racing machines. 169 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:50,120 If they want to keep making money, manufacturers must look to the future. 170 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:57,760 These super-computers on wheels 171 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:02,080 compete to prove which company has the fastest, smartest tech. 172 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:04,680 But it's all for nothing 173 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,960 if the drivers fail to get their multi-million-dollar machines 174 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:10,040 over the finish line first. 175 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:13,240 [crowd cheering] 176 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:21,600 [Stoffel] It's not given to anyone to become a professional racing driver. 177 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,800 It's not always the real talents that shine through. 178 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:28,280 There's a lot of kids out there that come from a very rich family, 179 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,440 and right now they almost have a little bit of an advantage 180 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,880 over kids that are coming from a standard family. 181 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:36,360 - Thank you. - Thank you. 182 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:40,200 My family, they're not rich people that could afford my racing career. 183 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:42,880 I had to prove myself time and time again. 184 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:50,080 [man over radio] Hey, one minute. 185 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:00,960 Radio's open. Radio check. 186 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,200 [Stoffel, over radio] Radio check, loud and clear. 187 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:07,240 [Elba] On this playground, 188 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:09,440 data is worth much more 189 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:12,640 than the eye-watering salaries the drivers receive. 190 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:13,840 [man, over radio] Off we go. 191 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,600 [engine revving] 192 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:22,960 [Elba] It's the job of the team to program the cars 193 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:26,400 to gain the widest of margins against their competitors. 194 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,400 [man, over radio] SSC is 97.7. 195 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,280 [countdown alarm] 196 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,680 [announcer] And we go green in Mexico City! 197 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:53,400 [man, over radio] Good. Let's go. 198 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:57,760 [announcer] Stoffel Vandoorne, championship leader, is all the way down... 199 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:00,040 [Elba] The fans aren't just spectating. 200 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:05,240 Like an interactive computer game, they can alter the course of the race. 201 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:09,320 Through their phones, they can influence the speed of the cars 202 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,280 by giving their favorite driver a so-called "fan boost." 203 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:17,560 It's a great way to guarantee advertisers and investors 204 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,400 that viewers are glued to their seats. 205 00:17:21,120 --> 00:17:23,280 [man, over radio] How are your tires? Tire temps okay? 206 00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:24,520 Do one more lap with it. 207 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:26,560 [announcer] Stoffel Vandoorne and Alexander Simms, 208 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,480 the championship leaders, wheel to wheel, nose to tail. 209 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,080 Stoffel Vandoorne to the inside of Mortara now. 210 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:33,880 He too is in attack mode. 211 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:38,360 [man, over radio] Car behind has 1% more energy than you, 212 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:42,040 and Simms is behind you 'cause he has 2% more energy. 213 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:45,280 [Stoffel] Do you know where the gap is? 214 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:47,560 [man, over radio] Yes, one or more behind. 215 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,080 Good job, keep your head in. Two more laps. Two more laps. 216 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:57,840 So we need to pull a jet from the draft unit, 217 00:17:57,920 --> 00:17:59,760 save as much energy as possible. 218 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,320 [Elba] Stoffel and his team are leading the race, but then... 219 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:10,600 a small mistake changes everything. 220 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:14,880 [crash] 221 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:15,960 [Stoffel] Fuck! 222 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:18,160 [Stoffel yelling] 223 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:19,240 Fucking hell... 224 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,920 Oh, that was stupid. Fucking... 225 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,520 I don't know if my car is okay. I don't know if the car is okay. 226 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:30,976 [man, over radio] Yeah, copy that. Watch out for cars behind. 227 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:32,760 [Stoffel] I'm sorry, guys. Oh, no. 228 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:43,640 [Elba] That was an expensive crash. 229 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,800 The entire team is hurt because of the loss. 230 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:51,040 The car will need to be fixed. 231 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:56,040 But more importantly, they lost their standing in the championships 232 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:00,480 and their reputation, which is more than money can buy. 233 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,200 [Stoffel] Often by engineers, we're not even viewed as a driver. 234 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,720 We are viewed as part of the car 235 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:10,800 that is operating at the same performance level all the time. 236 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:20,800 They're so focused on data sometimes and looking at data traces 237 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,040 that they think we are something in the car that is never changing, 238 00:19:24,120 --> 00:19:26,720 whilst we are probably the biggest change within the car. 239 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:32,240 We have different emotions. 240 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:35,120 One day you might feel better than another day. 241 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:37,240 We are human. 242 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:44,000 [Elba] Although this hyper-advanced car is developed to perform perfectly, 243 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:48,240 it still has one part that can be inconsistent, 244 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,120 unpredictable, 245 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:53,280 and can cost the team a lot of money. 246 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:56,200 A human being. 247 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:06,280 No matter how many billions we spend, nothing can match the engineering 248 00:20:06,360 --> 00:20:11,360 of this highly intelligent, finely-tuned homing missile. 249 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:17,000 The Colombian rock dove. 250 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:24,560 This racing pigeon can accelerate from one to 60 miles per hour 251 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,280 in just two seconds. 252 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,480 [heartfelt music playing] 253 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:35,800 [Elba] That's quicker than the fastest cars on the planet. 254 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:42,200 For many, racing their pigeons is serious business. 255 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:44,240 Why? 256 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,480 Because every year, people from all over the world 257 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:50,800 gamble millions of dollars on these quaint races. 258 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:56,960 [Jelle, in Dutch] A good pigeon has the characteristic 259 00:20:57,560 --> 00:20:59,840 that it can fly home as quickly as possible. 260 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,000 Fly quickly from point A to point B. 261 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:05,920 And that's all they have to do. 262 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:09,280 [speaking indistinctly in Dutch] 263 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:14,440 [Jelle] My grandfather, great-grandfather, father, uncles... 264 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:18,680 In our region, we're one of the biggest pigeon racing families. 265 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:22,760 We're very well positioned in the market. 266 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:26,040 Foreigners try to buy the top pigeons 267 00:21:26,120 --> 00:21:28,440 and sell their offspring in their own country. 268 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:33,280 They say we are the cradle of the pigeon sport. 269 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:36,880 A lot of money is involved. 270 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,600 And China is the market leader at the moment. 271 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,080 [Elba, in English] These athletes are worth more than their weight in gold. 272 00:21:47,120 --> 00:21:53,680 Recently, a racing pigeon was sold to a Chinese buyer for $1.8 million. 273 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:57,200 Hello. 274 00:21:57,920 --> 00:21:59,720 - [Mr. Green] Hello. - Everything okay? 275 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:00,640 Yes. 276 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,600 You see the one flight here? 277 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:07,480 [Elba] Mr. Green acts as a middleman for a wealthy gambler 278 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,880 who sees pigeon racing as an attractive investment. 279 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:15,240 Successful birds can earn their owners millions in prize money 280 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:17,760 over their six-year lifespan. 281 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:22,600 [Jelle] So let's hope they perform good, uh, on the birds' national race. 282 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:27,280 I mean, it's a big race for us, so everyone needs good luck. 283 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:28,360 Yeah, of course. 284 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:32,440 So we will see what the national race will bring us. 285 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,960 - Yeah. - Light some candles and pray. 286 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:38,600 That's all we need. 287 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,760 [Elba] Today marks the most important race of the year. 288 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:46,560 All the pigeon handlers in this tiny region are bringing 289 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,080 their best specimens to the starting line in France. 290 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,120 With prize money over $100,000 at stake, 291 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:56,840 there is tension in the air. 292 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:01,680 The owners of a winning bird can sell it for a huge sum at auction. 293 00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:07,440 Many humble pigeon racers have retired from the sport as millionaires. 294 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,520 But that's far from guaranteed. 295 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:14,480 [man, in Dutch] The game has totally changed. 296 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:18,640 I recently got an offer to sell my entire dovecote. 297 00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:21,000 Roof included? 298 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,480 - [laughs] - No, only the pigeons. 299 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,360 I could keep them until the end of the year. 300 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:30,960 But I have to train two Chinese guys. 301 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,400 100,000 euros. That's a lot, right? 302 00:23:35,120 --> 00:23:37,320 [indistinct chatter] 303 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:45,880 I'll take a bet on myself. 304 00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:50,800 [Elba, in English] Pigeon racing begins with a single starting point, 305 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:53,440 but it has a thousand finish lines. 306 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:57,320 Each bird is transported 300 miles away. 307 00:23:58,360 --> 00:24:01,400 Then all they have to do is find their way home. 308 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:06,040 Technology plays a major part in this modern playground. 309 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:08,560 Ankle tags will tell the judges 310 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:12,080 the exact time the birds cross the finish line. 311 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:15,880 [atmospheric music playing] 312 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,760 [Jelle, in Dutch] Train, put them in the basket, head to the site, 313 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:34,040 let them out, they come home. 314 00:24:34,120 --> 00:24:38,040 And the results will prove which ones are good or bad. 315 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,120 Release! 316 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:52,720 [uplifting music playing] 317 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:40,480 [Elba, in English] The birds will fly from France back to Belgium, 318 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:42,680 traveling for over four hours. 319 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:47,680 It's a grueling race, 320 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:51,160 and of the 18,000 birds taking part, 321 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:53,440 only one bird from the flock can win. 322 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:57,000 For its owner, fortune awaits. 323 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:03,440 [uplifting music continues] 324 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:17,040 [Jelle, in Dutch] We have 82 pigeons in today's match. 325 00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:24,040 It would be a disaster for us if the pigeons end up in bad weather. 326 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:28,360 And that a lot of pigeons are lost. And you don't want that. 327 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,360 Then you run the risk of losing your top athletes. 328 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:36,000 [spectator, in Mandarin] Hello, everyone. Welcome to my chat room. 329 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:40,280 Today the pigeons were released early. At about seven o'clock Belgian time. 330 00:26:40,360 --> 00:26:42,920 So the pigeons should be here any minute now. 331 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:46,600 [Elba, in English] Online, thousands of gamblers are watching 332 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:48,120 the livestream of the race, 333 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:53,560 desperate to know if their pigeon will win and make them some money today. 334 00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:56,080 [whistling] 335 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:00,160 [gentle music playing] 336 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:09,600 [man] Go, go, go! 337 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:15,120 [Jelle, in Dutch] Come on. 338 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:17,760 Number one and two of my old ones made it back home. 339 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:20,520 That's what I needed. 340 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,080 The commercial side runs the show. It's just that simple. 341 00:27:29,360 --> 00:27:31,600 Money follows money. 342 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:36,840 It's going to happen. So you have to adjust to it. 343 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:38,400 And it's that simple. 344 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,840 - Does he see me now? - [man] Yeah. 345 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:43,040 [in English] The first arrival is out of seven, 346 00:27:43,120 --> 00:27:45,120 Junior with the mother of Mississippi Girl. 347 00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:47,000 We score points now. 348 00:27:47,600 --> 00:27:48,840 That's all we need. 349 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:51,960 Are you happy with this or not? 350 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:54,000 Are you gonna fire me? 351 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:55,080 [laughter] 352 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:57,880 - No. - You can do the job. Okay? 353 00:27:58,480 --> 00:27:59,600 Lazy bastard! 354 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:02,440 - I will go to China. - [man] It's sent. 355 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:06,360 [Elba] Jelle's prize pigeons performed well. 356 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:09,720 His birds finished in the top ten, 357 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:15,160 earning him and his partners a decent share of the prize money. 358 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:18,080 $30,000. 359 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:19,840 [in Dutch] Pigeons. 360 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:23,200 What exactly is it, a pigeon? 361 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:25,360 It just flies around. 362 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:35,000 But pigeon racing has given quite a few families a better life. 363 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:36,440 I know that. 364 00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:37,920 I mean, financially. 365 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:46,240 [Elba, in English] For centuries, we have interacted with the natural world 366 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:48,520 to create all kinds of games, 367 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:51,480 but even nature has its boundaries. 368 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:57,680 Until recently, games we have played were bound by the rules of this earth, 369 00:28:58,200 --> 00:28:59,480 but not anymore. 370 00:28:59,560 --> 00:29:02,520 [intriguing music playing] 371 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:10,040 These days, the only limit to our playgrounds, 372 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:14,320 and the profit we can make from them, is our imaginations. 373 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:19,280 And it's all thanks to this magic ingredient. 374 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:22,360 Silicon. 375 00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:26,440 Mined from rock that makes up the earth's crust, 376 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,400 these tiny things are the most powerful technology 377 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:33,640 humankind has ever invented 378 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:37,400 and are responsible for creating 379 00:29:37,480 --> 00:29:40,560 the greatest wealth the world has ever seen. 380 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:48,080 When it comes to creating playgrounds, there are no limits. 381 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:52,520 [cheering] 382 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:00,880 [roars] 383 00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:06,480 [Elba] It is estimated that the e-sport marketplace 384 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:10,520 will soon be worth $1.8 billion, 385 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:14,200 and the mecca of e-sports is here, 386 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:16,800 in Seoul, South Korea. 387 00:30:31,480 --> 00:30:33,040 [slashing, shooting] 388 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:37,480 [Elba] World-renowned gaming team Gen. G is preparing for a match 389 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:40,440 with its arch rival, T1. 390 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:45,360 This game is more than a matter of winning prize money. 391 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:47,600 It's about defending their pride. 392 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,176 [in Korean] Everyone in the mid will die. Their mid's coming up. 393 00:30:50,200 --> 00:30:53,400 That guy was there all along. I am going to die. 394 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:57,360 Bloodthirster... I'll go with infinity sword to kill him. 395 00:30:57,440 --> 00:31:02,280 Why didn't you get the dragon? Does this guy have ultimate? 396 00:31:02,360 --> 00:31:03,520 Orianna has no ultimate. 397 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:07,360 Go to the three-way, guys! Let's go to the three-way in the front. 398 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:13,480 Let's go get the dragon. 399 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:17,280 [Elba, in English] Their chosen game is League of Legends. 400 00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:22,240 [in Korean] League of Legends is a five-on-five game. 401 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:26,120 You can get stronger by killing the opponent. 402 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:29,080 You have to destroy their buildings. 403 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:34,160 My position is to hunt after awful-looking creatures. 404 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,240 And make money to buy items. 405 00:31:36,320 --> 00:31:39,680 Other players have to get rid of cute-looking minions 406 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:42,800 and battle with the opponents. 407 00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:47,120 [boy] Go get that guy. 408 00:31:47,200 --> 00:31:48,920 Hey, guys, get this guy. 409 00:31:50,040 --> 00:31:51,680 Kill it. [laughs] 410 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:53,560 [boy] Look at this, Brendan. 411 00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:58,560 [Elba, in English] These e-athletes might be in their early twenties, 412 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:01,360 but they play in the Champion League of gaming. 413 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:04,120 [in Korean] Mordekaiser is winning. 414 00:32:06,200 --> 00:32:10,600 [Elba, in English] Here, top players can easily retire before they hit 30. 415 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:14,840 [player] If you're a tier-one player, um, 416 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:18,440 you know, let's say you're an A-player, 417 00:32:18,520 --> 00:32:21,800 uh, you're commanding at least a million dollars, right? 418 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:23,440 A-plus-plus-type players, 419 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:26,280 you're talking about multiples of that, right? 420 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:28,120 [interviewer, in Korean] Are you rich? 421 00:32:28,200 --> 00:32:29,200 I am rich. 422 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:34,800 To be honest, I receive too much money for my age, 423 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:40,960 and it doesn't feel realistic. 424 00:32:41,480 --> 00:32:43,880 I don't even know how I should spend it. 425 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:47,360 I spend at least 426 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:52,320 ten hours per day practicing. 427 00:32:53,400 --> 00:32:56,960 Being tired... 428 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:00,600 has become part of my life. 429 00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:02,280 Even if I feel tired... 430 00:33:04,280 --> 00:33:06,960 there is nothing I can do about it. 431 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:09,280 I just live with it. 432 00:33:23,480 --> 00:33:27,160 [Elba, in English] The Gen. G players share an apartment in downtown Seoul. 433 00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:33,080 Here, they game from the crack of dawn until late at night. 434 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:35,640 Sleep gets in the way. 435 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:38,480 All that matters is winning. 436 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:44,400 [atmospheric music playing] 437 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:27,200 [announcer] Welcome, everybody, to another day of the LCK, 438 00:34:27,280 --> 00:34:31,120 but not any old day. It is T1 up against Gen. G, 439 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:33,320 and this is a very big day for both of them. 440 00:34:33,400 --> 00:34:34,560 I can't wait. 441 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:38,600 It's gonna be so good, and it's always Gen. G and T1... 442 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:41,280 [Elba] Today is the LCK Summer Playoffs. 443 00:34:42,360 --> 00:34:46,840 If they win, they will earn a place on the global stage that is 444 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:49,400 the League of Legends World Championship. 445 00:34:59,080 --> 00:35:02,920 [player, in Korean] Our reputation depends on how well I do. 446 00:35:03,800 --> 00:35:06,160 So I feel responsible for that. 447 00:35:07,720 --> 00:35:09,480 I feel that I cannot lose. 448 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:16,280 I have to just do well without any excuses. 449 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:21,600 I cannot make any mistakes. 450 00:35:29,400 --> 00:35:32,440 [announcer, in English] So here we go. We're in game number one. 451 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:36,040 Gen. G versus T1. Here we go, once again. 452 00:35:36,120 --> 00:35:39,840 He's got a Stopwatch, but it's a Stopwatch in a dream. 453 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:42,560 They'll be dreaming about game two. 454 00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:48,280 [speaking indistinctly in Korean] 455 00:35:52,280 --> 00:35:55,600 [announcer, in English] Uh-oh, Teddy's got a red buff, 456 00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:58,120 and Oner's just running on in. 457 00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:00,080 He's still trying to go for the kill, 458 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:03,240 but everybody's got a Stopwatch, it feels like, in this meta. 459 00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:07,760 For some reason, Oner can't kill anybody, and it's because of this damn Stopwatch. 460 00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:10,240 And now Life comes in, zones them away... 461 00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:23,640 They're there in the mouth of the tunnel. Look at Ruler! 462 00:36:23,720 --> 00:36:26,120 He nearly dies to two Mystic Shots. 463 00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:28,480 And there you go! 464 00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:29,800 [in Korean] Just die. 465 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:31,000 Can you come here? 466 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:33,400 Twisted Fate Ult. Twisted Fate Stun. 467 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:35,896 [announcer, in English] ...down everybody. Life is gonna try it. 468 00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,080 So much for your combo! 469 00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:41,880 They don't have anything against Teddy in this game. Nothing! 470 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:44,520 As T1 are gonna take down the Nexus 471 00:36:44,600 --> 00:36:47,720 and they will make it to the finals of the LCK... 472 00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:49,240 Incredible and a... 473 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:52,720 gut-wrenching loss for Gen.G. 474 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:53,800 [announcer 2] Yeah. 475 00:36:54,440 --> 00:36:55,640 [announcer] T1. 476 00:36:55,720 --> 00:36:57,760 [announcer 2] You gotta feel for the guys on Gen. G, 477 00:36:57,800 --> 00:37:01,080 but, I mean, T1 came to play tonight, that's for sure. 478 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:07,640 [poignant music playing] 479 00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:44,080 [in Korean] Jungmin, you can be more confident when you are playing. 480 00:37:44,160 --> 00:37:45,440 I think you remember too. 481 00:37:47,240 --> 00:37:48,680 I already told him. 482 00:37:49,200 --> 00:37:52,800 Isn't this a team game? Right, it's a team game. 483 00:37:56,880 --> 00:38:00,440 [Elba, in English] For generations, play has helped us experiment 484 00:38:00,520 --> 00:38:02,440 and learn about the real world. 485 00:38:03,640 --> 00:38:08,200 But now you can earn huge sums by conquering a fantasy game. 486 00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:12,680 Have we lost touch? 487 00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:19,160 When our favorite games are dominated by big businesses, 488 00:38:19,240 --> 00:38:23,560 it's easy to lose track of why we started playing in the first place. 489 00:38:25,840 --> 00:38:29,200 Some playgrounds are worth billions of dollars, 490 00:38:30,040 --> 00:38:34,400 not just for the fighters, players, and drivers, 491 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:37,840 but for the gamblers, the investors, the food sellers, 492 00:38:37,920 --> 00:38:40,120 the medicine men, and the fans. 493 00:38:41,280 --> 00:38:42,280 [laughs] 494 00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:44,200 [Elba] It's big business. 495 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:48,320 But even in the midst of all that moneymaking 496 00:38:48,400 --> 00:38:51,760 lie the ancient ingredients of play. 497 00:38:51,840 --> 00:38:53,320 [Amy] I have to keep going. 498 00:38:54,360 --> 00:38:57,720 [Elba] Because play is much more than a money-making pastime. 499 00:38:58,320 --> 00:39:02,120 It's essential medicine for our bodies, our minds. 500 00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:05,480 It's what makes us human beings. 501 00:39:07,640 --> 00:39:11,000 It's never too late to return to our playgrounds. 502 00:39:11,080 --> 00:39:12,480 [screams] 503 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:16,240 [Elba] Because no matter who you are, 504 00:39:16,880 --> 00:39:18,520 where you are born, 505 00:39:19,560 --> 00:39:20,680 or what you look like, 506 00:39:22,440 --> 00:39:26,560 we humans will always love to play. 507 00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:37,360 [closing theme music playing]