Simona Halep would like to be able to compete again Paris 2024 Olympicsbut everything will depend on the final decision which will be rendered by the CASE. And according to rumors from insiders a few minutes ago, the final sentence should arrive between end of March and beginning of April.
There have been important developments in the case of the Romanian champion, who was sentenced to a four-year doping ban in September 2023 for testing positive for roxadustat after the 2022 US Open. a new irregularity on his biological passport.
At the end of three days of proceedings for the appeal presented by the former world number one, held at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Halep made some brief statements to the media present, hoping for a positive outcome to the case.
At the end of the hearing, during which the two-time grand slam champion presented her defense, Halep said she was confident in the progress of the trial. “I have had the opportunity to present my defense and I truly believe that the truth will come out and that the day of my return to court will be near,” » the Romanian tennis player told reporters outside the court.
From the first moment she was accused of testing positive for doping, Halep denied any responsibility for it, blaming her positive test at the US Open on tainted and permitted supplements.
Howard Jacobs, the tennis player’s lawyer, said CAS had listened to her arguments, but it was unclear when the court would issue its decision. The 32-year-old Romanian’s hope is to be exonerated as quickly as possible, in order to be able to compete again this season, with one dream in particular: participating in the Olympics.
In a recent interview with Paris Match, the former number one declared:
“There is very little chance that I will be able to participate, but I will do everything to make it happen. Whatever happens, I will be there. At worst, as a spectator, because it will be magical. I love Paris . It is a city where, beyond my sporting successes, I feel at home. If the sanction is confirmed, I cannot know what will happen in the next three years and how my body will evolve. My dream is to come back to it, at any age. One thing is certain: I want to choose how to end my career and I don’t want to end it anywhere other than on the field.”
In fact, still according to the same insiders, it seems that the CAS is oriented towards a confirmation of the ban, or towards a reduction of sentence, which would however not allow Simona to be able to play in the Paris Olympics. Even if Simona’s call could hold some surprises.
There are many points to clarify on this subject, not to mention that Simona was arrested for almost a year without having a precise sentence. A truly undignified treatment towards an athlete who has marked the last years of tennis history. This is perhaps also why the CAS could move towards a more lenient sentence.
Is there a chance that the CAS will find Simona Innocent? I believe there is a possibility, albeit a remote one. Simona would never knowingly and willingly take a prohibited drug (or supplement). It is very possible that you were the victim of contamination and that you are not involved in the affair.
However, it will obviously have to be proven. Secondly, there is also the question of the biological passport. Halep plays perhaps her most difficult game there. Even if she’s not involved, proving the truth will be more difficult on this matter.
The CAS declared regarding: “The court has no reason to doubt the unanimous opinion of the three independent experts that probable doping is the explanation for the irregularities based on the analysis of 51 blood samples from the player.”
Speaking of the CAS, returning to the main subject of the article that I am writing, the Lausanne court published a press release in which it explains:
“Lausanne, February 9, 2024 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hears in the arbitration procedure CAS 2023/A/10025 Simona Halep v. International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and CAS. with the final pleadings of the parties, as The parties have been informed that the CAS Panel in charge of the case will now deliberate and prepare the arbitral award containing its decision and reasons. No particular date has been announced regarding the notification of the final decision.”
But as mentioned, according to insiders who have followed the case in recent days in Lausanne, the CAS should deliver its verdict between the end of March and the beginning of April.
