Simona Halep Hit With Another Doping Charge
As if one isn’t enough, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) hit the already-suspended Simona Halep with another doping violation.
The ITIA announced that Halep has been caught with “irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport”.
Already serving a suspension for Roxadustat dating back to the the US Open, the former No. 1 will now have to fight this additional charge.
Halep responded on Instagram.
“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 posted.
“Not only has my name been soiled in the worst posible 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 proven 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 schedule 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 practice every day and fight for the truth.I cannot thank you more for that.”
Halep had been playing well making the Wimbledon semifinals and then winning in Toronto.
But after the US Open she reported got divorced after one year of marriage, then was hit with the first doping violation. All coming after hiring new coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
“This harassement (sic) is going way past the limits of the acceptable,” Mouratoglou posted.
A 2-time Grand Slam winner, Halep turns 32 in September, and one has to wonder if she’ll ever return or be allowed to return to competition.
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