What is Athlete Biological Passport? Everything you need to know about Simona Halep's second doping charge

Simona Halep has received a second doping charge due to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), which is a method through which blood parameters of athletes are monitored by a panel pf experts to check for any anti-doping rule violations.

An athlete's ABP profile is generated by compiling blood parameters throughout a period of time that can be classified as "normal." The 'Off Score' is one of these parameters and is determined by using their haemoglobin count and percentage of immature blood cells.

These 'Off Scores' can be affected from a variety of factors that include recent blood loss or transfusion, sleeping in a tent, extreme dehydration or exposure to cold, to name a few. In such a case, the experts determine whether it's a doping case or not. Over the years, sports stars from various disciplines have received sanctions on the basis of their abnormal ABP, including prominent Track and Field Athletes and cyclists.

Simona Halep had previously been provisionally suspended by the ITIA after she tested positive for a prohibited substance named Roxadustat. She was already looking to protest the ban but has to deal with another doping offense now.

ITIA's senior director for doping Nicole Sapstead claimed that while the news of Halep's additional offense makes the situation more complicated, the organisation intends to converse with the Romanian empathetically.

"We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process – and indeed any other at the ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner," Sapstead said.

Simona Halep to present her case in front of independent judges

Simona Halep in action at the US Open

Addressing the additional doping charge, Simona Halep declared that she would present her case in front of an independent tribunal at the end of May 2023 following several delays by the ITIA.

"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 present my case at my hearing which is scheduled at the end of May after several delays by the ITIA," Halep wrote on Instagram.

Simona Halep is yet to play a match since the 2022 US Open, which happened just weeks after her triumph at the Canadian Open in Toronto. The Romanian's prolonged absence from the WTA tour has seen her drop to 30th in the WTA rankings.