By Victor Kanayo
Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has now been looped in another anti-doping scandal.
In October 2022, the former World number one was indicted for using banned substance roxadustat, a product that stimulates production of hemoglobin and red blood cells at the US Open.
This time around, Halep has been charged with a second doping offence relating to “irregularities in her athlete biological passport”.
Another ITIA Hammer On Halep
This was revealed in a statement by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) via its website.
Part of the statement reads, “The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirms that Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has been charged with a further and separate breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), relating to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
“Ms Halep has been provisionally suspended since October 2022, as a result of testing positive for prohibited substance Roxadustat, at the US Open in August of last year.
“The ABP programme, developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency and incorporated into the TADP under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), is a method by which anti-doping organisations monitor various blood parameters over time, to identify potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).
“The additional charge of an Adverse Passport Finding was based on an assessment of Ms. Halep’s ABP profile by an independent ABP Expert Panel. That charge is separate and in addition to the existing Roxadustat charge from August 2022 which triggered Ms. Halep’s original provisional suspension.”
Halep Statement
After being hit with a second charge, Halep released a furious statement on social media, in which she accused the ITIA of “harassment and motivation to prove me guilty of something I never did”.
In the statement, she emphatically denied having taken a banned substance.
She also stated that she has evidence which shows low quantities of roxadustat entered her body due to an authorised substance which was contaminated.
Her full statement obtained via verified Twitter page reads, “Since October 7, when I got charged by the ITIA for a suspicion of doping, I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life,’ she said.
“Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but I am facing a constant determination from the ITIA for a reason that I cannot understand, to prove my guilt while I haven’t ever even thought of taking an illicit substance.
“I tried two times to have the opportunity to be judged by an independent tribunal, and the ITIA has constantly found reasons to postpone.
“Now that we have clearly established that I have been victim of a contamination, they came up with a so-called not normal evolution of my blood. Three world-renowned experts that have studied my blood test have been extremely clear that my blood is totally normal.
“I feel helpless facing such harassment and motivation on their behalf to prove me guilty of something I never did. Once again, all my life I have been totally against any sort of cheating. It doesn’t align with my values.
“The only thing I hope for, at this point, is to have the possibility to finally access the independent and impartial judges in a tribunal, that will give me the chance to prove my innocence.
“I have full trust in justice and I look forward to finally being able to present my case at my hearing that is scheduled at 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 continue to practise every day and fight for the truth. I cannot thank you more for that.
“Love, Simona.”
