The German journalist, who uncovered the recent Russian and Kenyan doping scandals, explained to a room full of budding journalists what it’s like to dig and uncover major ground breaking stories.

Mr Seppelt, who has written books and released documentaries about doping, explained how he revealed the truth behind Russia’s ‘state-supported’ doping system.

The students listened as he talked about interviewing whistle-blowers and going undercover to a gym in Belarus where the button camera didn’t record any of the incriminating footage, as well as speaking to doctors in China about stem cell treatments before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

And although the expert on doping had never given a lecture to up and coming journalists before, he believes it’s important for the next generation to be given advice from fellow professionals.

“This is my first time doing something like this, but hopefully these guys can learn something from what I’m doing,” said the investigative journalist.

“Hopefully in the future there’s still good journalism, which is sufficiently funded because digging for major stories is expensive and not everyone’s willing to pay.”

The lecture was organised by Adrian Warner, Senior Lecturer in Sports Journalism at the University, who worked alongside Mr Seppelt for many years in Germany.

The former BBC and Reuters correspondent believes such lectures are invaluable for aspiring journalists.

“It’s great to get a high profile journalist with so much experience inspiring the next generation coming through,” he said.

“He’s at the centre of one of the biggest stories in sport and the students were extremely lucky to get this wonderful opportunity.”

The students found the experience thoroughly enjoyable and extremely beneficial to their course.

Laura O’Leary, 24, a second year Sports Journalism student, said: “It was a fantastic experience to listen to somebody who’s been there and done it.

“On our course you don’t get to go undercover and expose stories yourself due to the safety risks, so lectures like these are really insightful for us.” 

ENDS

Article by University of Bedfordshire Sports Journalism student Shane MacDermott