Doping in running has been a huge topic. So, for this episode, I went straight to “the guy” who investigated and is sharing about it.  The guy is Hajo Seppelt, the one who broke the story of doping in Russia.  This busy man was very generous to give me 15 minutes of his time.

As an investigative journalist, he shares his views on the current doping situation compared to years ago.

He explains at length his reasons why doping will continue to happen.

Hajo expresses his thoughts on the IOC and how the president of the IOC is handling the doping situation in Russia.

He explains the risks whisteblowers take to unveil the truth of doping.

We discuss the talk of scrapping world records because of doping.  Hajo frankly shares his perspective on world records and timing at races.

Today's Guest

Hajo Seppelt

Hajo Seppelt is a German journalist who has broken multiple doping stories in running and other sports around the world.  He was the one who convinced Yuliya Stepanova and Vitaly Stepanov to speak out about what they saw happening in Russia.  He has been involved with several documentaries on doping, as well.

What You Will Learn About

• What Hajo thinks of the current doping situation compared to several decades ago.
• Why clean sports are not probable.
• How doping could benefit the sport of running.
• What protection whisteblowers are given.
• How doping substances work, how long it remains in the body.

Inspirational Quotes

If you would have no timing, then we would concentrate, we would focus on which one.  And that what makes sports for me so meaningful.  That means you race against another, it’s a competition.  It’s not about reaching the next world record.

You can never expect clean sports.  That’s, to be honest, that’s a productive fantasy.

Resources Mentioned

Last week's interview with  Benji Durden 

Hajo's website

Documentary on Kenyan Doping

Documentary on Russian Doping

Hajo on twitter

NPR Article on Hajo

Thank you to Health IQ and favorite recovery product BodyHealth for sponsoring this episode of Running for Real.

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