After Fresh Doping Allegation, Simona Halep said, “I feel helpless in the face of such hounding”
After Fresh Doping Allegation, Simona Halep said, “I feel helpless in the face of such hounding”
A video grabbed image.
In response to the most recent development in her doping case, Simona Halep has fired back. She was previously accused of “an additional violation” for issues with her biological passport after testing positive for the illegal chemical Roxadustat (a substance comparable to EPO) during the US Open, which would result in a temporary suspension starting in October 2022.
According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), a team of impartial specialists evaluated Halep’s profile and found an additional accusation of an “adverse finding” in the biological passport.
According to Nicole Sapstead, ITIA Director of Anti-Doping:
“We understand that the announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process and any others at the ITIA, we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep empathetically, efficiently, and timely. It would be appropriate for us to comment specifically after the process. Still, we will continue to engage with the independent sports adjudication panel and Ms. Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible.”
The 24-time WTA champion, who also won the WTA Finals in 2014, Wimbledon in 2019, Roland Garros in 2018, and other tournaments, sent a statement on social media in which she maintains her innocence and says she feels helpless:
“I’m living the worst nightmare I have ever had in my life. Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but I am facing constant accusation by the ITIA, now for a reason I cannot understand, trying to prove my guilt while I have never even thought of taking any illegal substance.”
The restriction on contaminated supplements
Simona Halep’s defense approach after the positive result was made public in October centered on the assertion that there was proof of “tampering” in one of the nutritional supplements the tennis star used.
Halep’s fair hearing is slated to occur at the end of May.
Halep keeps going with her assertion.
“Now that we have clearly established that I have been the victim of contamination, they came up with an alleged abnormal evolution of my blood. Three world-renowned experts who have studied my analyses have made it clear that my blood is normal. I feel helpless in the face of such harassment, to see them motivated once again to declare me guilty of something I never did. I repeat once again: all my life, I have been totally against any cheating; it is something that does not fit with my values.”
Halep then concludes her statement.
“I hope to finally have access to independent and impartial judges in a tribunal who will give me the opportunity 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 by the ITIA. The support of my loved ones, the tennis world, and my fans have given me the courage to keep training every day and fight for the truth.”
