Simona Halep has been suspended since October after testing positive for Roxadustat at the US Open last year; the former Wimbledon champion insisted last fall that she has “never knowingly taken a banned substance”; Halep says she is ‘victim of contagion’
Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been charged with a second doping violation because of “irregularities in her biological athlete passport”.
The former world No. 1 and Wimbledon champion has been suspended since October last year after testing positive for the blood-boosting drug Roxadustat at the 2022 US Open.
Last month, Halep criticized the delay in her case, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Friday that the Romanian had been charged with a “further and separate violation of the tennis anti-doping program” following an independent assessment of her biological characteristics. sportsman’s passport.
Nicole Sapstead, senior director of anti-doping at the ITIA, said in a statement: “We understand that this announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation.
“From the very beginning of this process – as with everyone else at ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Ms Halep in an empathetic, effective and timely manner.
“We of course appreciate that there is a lot of media interest in these cases.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on the details until the process is complete, but we will continue to engage with the independent Sport Resolutions tribunal and Ms Halep’s representatives as quickly as possible.”
Speaking in April, Halep said: “I was suspended for eight months despite sending all the evidence regarding my infection to the ITF last December.
“I don’t want any special treatment, but to be able to be tried by the tribunal. I feel it is unfair. How long will it last?”
Last October, she said: “I will fight to the end to prove that I have never knowingly taken a banned substance and I believe that sooner or later the truth will come out.”
Sky Sports News has contacted Simona Halep’s representatives for comment.
Halep: The worst nightmare of my life | “I am a victim of contamination”
In response to Friday’s findings, Halep released the following statement via her social media channels:
“Not only has my name been tarnished in the worst possible way, but I am faced with a constant determination by the ITIA, for reasons I cannot fathom, to prove my guilt while I have not even thought of illegally accepting substance.
“I tried twice to have the opportunity to be tried by an independent tribunal and ITIA kept finding reasons to delay.
“Now that we have clearly established that I was a victim of contagion, they have come up with the so-called abnormal evolution of my blood. Three world-renowned experts who examined my blood test were extremely clear that my blood was completely normal.
“I feel helpless to face such harassment and motivation on their behalf to prove myself guilty of something I never did. Once again, all my life I have been completely against any kind of deception. This is not in line with my values.
“All I hope for at this point is to finally have access to the independent and impartial judges at a tribunal that will give me a chance to prove my innocence.”
“I have full confidence in justice and look forward to finally being able to present my case at my hearing, which is scheduled for the end of May, after several delays from ITIA.
“The support of my loved ones, the tennis world and my fans gave me the courage to continue training every day and fight for the truth. I can’t thank you enough for this. With love, Simona.’
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