Simona Halep Suspended for a Positive Doping Test
The Russian top seed, whose win over Petra Kvitova came two days ago, will have to serve a three-month suspension on the same charge, which was referred to an out-of-competition test by the IAAF
Simona Halep Suspended for a Positive Doping Test
Simona Halep Suspended for a Positive Doping Test
Simona Halep’s suspension has been confirmed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). She has been banned for three months for a positive test in a doping test during the IAAF World Championships in London.
Earlier today, German news agency dpa, quoting an unnamed source, confirmed that there was an ‘unsolved doping case’ at the 2013 Women’s World Championships.
The source also claimed that the doping case might have been connected with Serena Williams’ infamous failure to take a drug test, as the two athletes had been competing on neutral ground in Moscow.
“Serena Williams and Simona Halep have been competing against each other for years and this may have been the case. There is an ongoing investigation involving the IAAF which is investigating an unsolved doping case involving the two.”
The World Championships in the United Kingdom was a “special case” for Halep as she was competing in a non-sanctioned meet, and her results were not monitored or controlled by the IAAF. The IAAF was not informed that she was using any performance-enhancing drugs.
Simona Halep was a world champion who captured the French Open a year ago. She has won 10 French Open titles and two Australian Opens. Halep is currently ranked No. 2 in the world.
The IAAF’s general secretary, Jules Peyper, wrote in a statement to the Russian press that, “I will keep a close eye on the situation in the lead-up to the [2013] London Olympic Games. On behalf of the IAAF, I assure the sports community that our position on doping will remain unchanged.”