Speaker & Speaker

Hajo Seppelt

"In search of the truth in sport"

Hajo Seppelt is one of the most renowned investigative journalists in Germany and a highly sought-after expert internationally in doping, sports politics, and ethics in elite sports. Since 1985, he has been working for ARD and advocating for transparent structures in competitive sports. As a doping whistleblower and multiple award-winning documentary filmmaker, he shapes international doping awareness through his work. Since 2017, he has been producing investigative journalism for ARD and international media partners through his company EyeOpening.Media. Seppelt is the ideal speaker for events seeking critical insights and authentic perspectives in sports.

Rates

Vita

Hajo Seppelt – Aufklärung im Spitzensport: Wahrheit, Verantwortung & Medien

Hajo Seppelt is one of Germany's most renowned investigative journalists and an internationally sought-after expert on doping, sports politics, and ethics in elite sports. Since 1985, he has worked for ARD – initially as a sports reporter and later as an investigative author, commentator, and filmmaker. His journalistic mission is to make the often hidden structures of competitive sports visible – critically, in-depth, and with societal relevance.

Doping Whistleblower & Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker

Since 1992, Hajo Seppelt has reported on the Olympic Games and has been a central voice in international doping education since the 2000s. His ARD documentary series Geheimsache Doping, which has been running since 2007, has set global standards in journalistic research. For his work, he has been honored with the Federal Cross of Merit, the Hanns-Joachim-Friedrichs Prize, and multiple Deutscher Fernsehpreis awards. His TV documentaries have a far-reaching impact, providing crucial insights into transparency, value orientation, and system criticism.

EyeOpening.Media – Journalism with Integrity and Impact

Since 2017, Seppelt has been producing investigative journalism for ARD and international media partners under his company EyeOpening.Media. His view behind the scenes of federations, institutions, and major sporting events is uncomfortable – and that’s exactly why it’s so valuable. He brings to the stage topics that move: ethics, power structures, journalistic responsibility, and the question of how much truth elite sports can handle.

Why Hajo Seppelt is the Right Speaker for Your Event

• Investigative Journalist with International Impact: Doping, Power, & Transparency in Sports
• Extensive Media Experience: Active since 1985 – from radio reporting to TV documentaries
• Award-Winning Filmmaker: Federal Cross of Merit & Deutscher Fernsehpreis
• Insightful Education with Depth & Integrity: For media, companies, education, and politics

Book Hajo Seppelt for Your Event Now!

Provide your audience with critical insights, media depth, and authentic perspectives – from a journalist whose research has garnered international attention.

Topics

Investigative journalism

Methods and techniques: use of undercover research, source anonymity and data analysis to uncover wrongdoing.
Case studies: Reports on major scandals such as the Watergate affair or the Edward Snowden revelations.
Challenges: Risk of reprisals for journalists, legal hurdles and ethical dilemmas when dealing with sensitive information.

TV journalism

Format diversity: Differentiation between news, reports, talk shows and documentaries.
Relevance of images: The role of visual elements in reporting and their influence on viewer perception.
Technological developments: Impact of streaming services and social media on traditional television coverage.

International sport

Global competitions: The importance of tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games for international cohesion.
Sport and culture: the influence of national identities and cultural differences on international sport.
Financial aspects: Sponsorship, television rights and the economic importance of international sporting events.

Corruption

Forms of corruption: definition and examples such as bribery, nepotism and abuse of official duties.
Effects: Negative effects on society, the economy and political stability in affected countries.
Combating and prevention: Measures and initiatives to combat corruption, including legal frameworks and civil society engagement.

Olympics

History of the Olympic Games: Origin of the Games in Ancient Greece and the evolution to the modern Olympic Games.
Economic impact: Analysis of the financial costs and profits for host countries and cities.
Social and political dimensions: Discussion of the role of the Olympic Games as a platform for political messaging and social change.

Doping

Types of doping substances: Overview of commonly used substances such as anabolic steroids, EPO and stimulants.
Consequences for athletes: Health risks and career consequences for athletes convicted of doping.
Anti-doping measures: Measures and organizations such as WADA to combat doping in sport.

Sport and politics in Germany

Political instrumentalization: How sport is used as a means of political propaganda, for example in the GDR.
Integration through sport: The role of sport in the integration of migrants and in social policy in Germany.
Current debates: Discussions on topics such as racism in sport, refugee policy and the responsibility of sports associations in political issues.