Andrea Radukan, who tested positive for pseudoephedrine and was stripped of a medal won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, spoke about the CAS verdict in Simona Halep’s case (the ex-WTA leader’s suspension was reduced from 4 years to 9). months) and pointed out the differences between the two doping scandals.

>> Simona Halep and initial 4-year ban: “Broken rules during blood sampling in Bucharest”

Andreia Redukan: “In my case it was a more gross mistake than in the case of Simona Halep”

The former gymnast said that the error in her case (injecting the Nurofen pill) was “more egregious” than the error of Simona Halep’s team (which recommended a supplement contaminated with roxadustat).

“In my case it was a more gross mistake, if you can say so, than in the case of Simona. It cost me more than an individual all-around medal.

It cost me the chance to compete for two medals on balance beam and floor, the decision to withdraw from the individual all-around came at a time when I needed to compete in the two finals on apparatus, where I had the best chance of medals.

If at some point someone wise thinks that it’s useless to hold on to a solution that absolutely no one understands, just an admission, I think that will calm the water and everyone will calm down.

People ask me, “When are you asking for your medal back?” but that’s a question that doesn’t concern me, it’s not a market negotiation, and it’s important that people bigger than us recognize that they can make mistakes too. Any time will be good, the main thing is that people take this step.

I’ve proven that I can live my life well by talking about it. Losing the Olympic title made me understand what people’s solidarity and unconditional support means, so I couldn’t say that I necessarily lost.

I was very happy for Simona Halep, it was very good news. With my experience, I was convinced that the judges of the Court of Arbitration for Sport would somehow manage to change the situation and say “yes, we are wrong too.” Because it is usually considered that there is no error here.

Even if it will not be easy for him to return, I believe that now he has the obligation and motivation to return to the field even stronger. It was news that I think all Romanians accepted and we are all grateful to have an athlete of Simona’s caliber who can now represent us at the Olympic Games in Paris” – Andrey Redukanquoted by Agerpres.

>> Simona Halep returns to the WTA tournament – An important tournament in which she will participate

>> Simona Halep explained how she ended up taking a tainted supplement

Andrey Redukan and Nurofen, who was on the way to fame

At just 16 years old, Andrea stunned the gymnastics world with her evolution in Sydney during the Summer Olympics.

The individual competition from the territory of Australia brought a fantastic result for Romania: Andrea Raducan, Simona Amanar and Maria Olaru were on the podium (gold/silver/bronze).

The fantastic joy was interrupted by a statement from the IOC (International Olympic Committee): Andreja Redukan tested positive for pseudoephedrine, a substance banned at the time, which Romanian officials said was found in the Nurofen pill taken by the gymnast. – on the advice of a therapist to treat a cold.

The work of the 16-year-old girl was wasted, and the gold medal was taken away from our athlete.

At those Olympics, Andrea Redukan won a gold medal in the team event and a silver medal in the vault.

Although the investigation showed Andrea’s innocence, the TAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) decided that anti-doping regulations must be followed, and the gymnast from Romania was left without such an important medal.

>> Harsh conclusion in the case of Simona Halep: “Her victory in the appeal does not compensate for the lost time”

What you need to know about Simona Halep’s doping case

• The news that Simona Halep was temporarily suspended for doping appeared on Friday, October 21, 2022.

• Simona’s case was heard by Sport Resolutions, an independent tribunal in London that hears doping cases in white sport.

• Halep was suspended for 4 years for two separate violations of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP): the presence and use of the substance roxadustat in a urine sample collected after an anti-doping test conducted at the 2022 US Open (1) and a violation of her biological passport (2).

• Halep was heard at the CAS on February 7-9, 2024.

• The Swiss court said that the ex-leader of the WTA asked to cancel the decision of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and “reduce” its sanctions.

• On August 29, 2022, Simona Halep played her last official match on the world circuit. At the US Open, in the inaugural round, our athlete unexpectedly defeated Daria Snigur (at that time, 124th place in the WTA, based on the qualification).

You may be interested in this topic:

>> Ion Cyriac surprised by TAS verdict in Simona Halep case

>> Comment by Patrick Muratoglu after Simona Halep’s suspension was reduced by TAS

>> Darren Cahill’s conclusion after the CAS delivered its verdict in the Simona Halep case

>> WTA reaction after the announcement of the return of Simona Halep: “We fully support the TAS decision”

>> Presence at the 2024 Olympics, Simona Halep’s achievable goal – how to get to Paris

>> Stere Halep tells where Simona is and reports on the physical condition of the former WTA leader

>> The decision of TAS was received with enthusiasm: “Symona Halep will return to the TOP-10 quite quickly”

>> The tournament where Simona Halep can return to the field

>> ITIA and Simona Halep clarification: “We respect the player’s right to appeal, as well as the result”