Halep examined constructive for roxadustat – an anti-anemia drug that stimulates the manufacturing of purple blood cells within the physique – on the US Open in August 2022.
An investigation by the ITIA concluded that the contamination doubtless got here from a collagen complement known as Keto MCT.
In a choice introduced on Tuesday, Cas stated: “Having rigorously thought of all of the proof introduced earlier than it, the panel decided that Ms Halep had established, on the steadiness of chances, that roxadustat entered her physique by the consumption of a contaminated complement that he had used within the days shortly earlier than August 29, 2022.
“The roxadustat, as detected in his pattern, got here from that contaminated product.
“In consequence, the Cas Panel decided that Ms. Halep had additionally established, on the steadiness of chances, that her anti-doping rule violations weren’t intentional.
“Though the Cas Panel discovered that Ms. Halep had some degree of fault or negligence for her violations, since she didn’t train enough care when utilizing the Keto MCT complement, it concluded that she didn’t have any vital fault or negligence.”
Halep was charged in Might 2023 with a second, separate offense when the ITIA stated irregularities had been present in her organic athlete passport.
The ABP program collects and compares organic information to see discrepancies within the athlete's blood over time that counsel potential doping.
Three specialists – Dr Jakob Morkeberg, Dr Laura Garvican-Lewis and Professor Giuseppe d'Onofrio – assessed 51 legitimate samples of Halep's blood and every concluded that there was “doubtless doping”.
Halep's protection urged that the noticed irregularities had been attributable to elements that included blood loss throughout an operation and intervals when she was not coaching.
Cas stated he was “not comfortably happy” Halep had dedicated an offense and the panel “so reinstated that cost”.
