Simona Halep has tested positive for the 2022 US Open and has received a temporary suspension from tennis. Many were worried about the question: if he proves his innocence, will he be able to do without a permanent suspension? To understand how complicated the matter is, we asked the opinion of the head of the National Anti-Doping Agency of Romania, Gabriela Andreasu.

Context

• Simona Halep has been provisionally suspended for failing a doping test at the 2022 US Open, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on Friday.

• Shortly after the explanation, which flew around the world, Simona Halep said: “I was informed that I tested positive for a substance called roxadustat in an extremely small amount. I will fight to the end to prove that I have never knowingly taken a banned substance.”

But, still, how much does it matter if Simona (31 years old) used an “extremely small” amount of doping? This detail allows our athlete to avoid a final disqualification (she is currently temporarily disqualified).

Roxadustat is a non-specific substance and, according to the head of ANAD, it has no place (in general – the amount does not matter) in the body of an athlete working at a high level.

Can Simona Halep remain without suspension from tennis if she proves her innocence?

“It’s a very difficult issue because there are several provisions in the World Anti-Doping Code that say: if she proves her complete innocence, there is a provision in the code that says that in exceptional circumstances the period of suspension should be reduced.

However, athletes are directly responsible for what is in their bodies. He must prove how this substance got into the body, because this substance is not allowed into the body at all. As with cannabis, up to a certain concentration. The very presence of this substance (without roxadustat) is considered doping.

If someone gave her, I don’t know, recommended this substance, that person could be charged with a doping violation against Simona Halep, so it becomes very complicated.

I don’t know the file at all, we as an anti-doping organization only received the first letter, which Simone also received, we were obliged to keep it secret (ANAD knew about the case a few days ago).

The case is not handled by Romania, it belongs to the International Tennis Federation, so everything is decided there” – Gabriela Andrejasu, head of ANAD, for HotNews.ro.

If she was taking treatment, Simona Halep would still have to announce the presence of the substance in her body

“Symona says that she does not know how this substance got into her body, but if she knew before the anti-doping control that she was doing this treatment, she should have declared it in the anti-doping letter.

The form has a medication section where athletes list all medications and supplements they have taken in the past seven days” – Gabriela Andreyasu.

In general, the chances of Simona Halep to escape without disqualification are minimal?

“I don’t want to pronounce, this is a very difficult case. This is a non-specific substance.

The list includes: specific, non-specific substances, and of these two categories, four are considered abuse. In her case, it is a non-specific substance.

The World Anti-Doping Code limits the use of non-specific substances to four years of ineligibility.

Abatement is available under certain circumstances: no fault, substantial assistance, no negligence, there are several factors that can lead to abatement.

If an athlete admits to using doping, one year is reduced and he will receive a three-year disqualification, but he has no right to another reduction. This is a very difficult matter” – Gabriela Andreyasu.

Simona Halep is the only one responsible for the substances present in her body

“The principle of strict responsibility is the first article of the code, I am responsible for what is in my body. As long as the substance is present in the urine sample, it is also classified as used. There are two facts here: availability and use” – Gabriela Andreyasuhead of ANAD.

Simona Halep interrupted cooperation with ANAD for a year – David Popovichi gives a positive example

“I am very sorry because Simona had a period when she was in contact with ANAD through her technical staff. He would ask us about medications, supplements, anything he was prescribed, if it was illegal.

From a certain moment, he did not contact us, for about a year. He no longer contacted us like David (not Popovich) or his parents. His parents call me regardless of their time zone” – Gabriela Andreasu, head of ANAD.

Know:

• At the US Open-2022, there was no more Romanian in Simona Halep’s lineup. Since the beginning of cooperation with Patrick Muratoglu (April 2022), our athlete has refused collaborators in the country.

• The last replacement (this summer) was Theo Serchel – Candice Goyer, a physiotherapist from the Patrika Muratoglu academy, was brought in.

Comparing the case of Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep – Excuses are useless at this level

At the end of the intervention, I asked Gabriela Andreas to compare two well-known cases of doping in recent times in tennis: Maria Sharapova (2016) vs. Simona Halep (2022).

“The substance has been included in the prohibited list since 2018 (no roxadustat). We had the Meldonium scandal. Certain circumstances led to this (there is no Maria Sharapova), indeed the substance was included in the prohibited list in 2016, but the warning was made in October 2015.

After all, she has no excuse either. At this level, you have the best people around you, you can’t help but inform yourself,” he concluded Gabriela Andrejasu for HotNews.ro.

You may also be interested in:

• The suspension that Simona Halep may receive after a positive test – The reaction of the international press
• The first reaction of Simona Halep after the disqualification for doping

• What is roxadustat, the EPO-class substance that Simona Halep tested positive for: “It can help improve athletic performance” – sports doctor

• Ilye Nestase: “Maybe the doctor gave him something forbidden”

• Simona Halep’s ex-coach: “I would have made it public earlier to show that I had good intentions”

• Toni Yuruk’s reaction after Simona Halep was revealed to be positive