London Marathon champion Sebastian Sawe, is set to line up for his third career marathon later this month in Berlin on September 21. But before he takes on the famed German course, Sawe has taken an unprecedented step to address one of athletics’ most pressing issues, doping.
In a bold move, Sawe and his management team proactively contacted the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to propose a special anti-doping regime ahead of Berlin. The initiative, which Sawe hopes will set a precedent for transparency and accountability in distance running, comes at a time when Kenya’s global reputation has been tainted by a series of doping scandals.
Inside Sawe’s Anti-Doping Program
Details of the program, shared with CITIUS MAG, reveal a stringent testing regime designed to eliminate any doubts surrounding his performances:
- At least 25 anti-doping controls conducted in the two months before Berlin.
- Unannounced, out-of-competition tests using advanced lab protocols.
- Independent oversight by AIU, with no prior knowledge for Sawe or his team on test timings or methods.
- Full funding by adidas, Sawe’s primary sponsor.
Testing began on July 25, giving a transparent timeline leading directly to race day.
Sawe’s Stand Against Kenya’s Doping Crisis
Kenya’s athletics community is currently under a cloud, with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya recently charged with non-compliance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Unless the country resolves the issue within 21 days, it risks losing WADA privileges, funding, and even the right to host international competitions.
For Sawe, however, silence is not an option.
“I am tired of reading what people write in the press and on social media. There is always doubt or an accusation when the athlete is a Kenyan,” he said.
“We cannot deny that doping is a huge problem in our country. To fight it, we must shed light on it and work with bodies like AIU and World Athletics. By taking this step, I want to prove I am clean and serve as an example for other athletes.”
Building on a Historic Season
Sawe’s initiative follows an exceptional competitive run that has firmly established him among the greatest marathoners of his era.
On December 1, 2024, he stunned the field at the Valencia Marathon with a world-leading 2:02:05, and in April 2025, he triumphed at the London Marathon in 2:02:27, further solidifying his dominance.
With Berlin on the horizon, his commitment to transparency may prove just as impactful as his times on the clock.
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