Halep wants to go to the Olympic Games: the conditions that must be met to have it in Paris

Simona Halep (32 years old) is going to make, in the next few days, her competitive calendar for 2024. It is certain that she will want to play, first of all, at the French Open (May 20 – June 9), the second Grand Slam of the year.

Then, the big stake of the Romanian will be the participation in the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26 – August 11). It's a goal that “Simo” has been talking about since he was waiting for the TAS hearings. It's just that, if participation in the WTA tournaments will be possible through the qualifications or thanks to some wild cards received from the organizers, the presence at the 2024 Olympics represents a more complex problem.

Specifically, Halep must break into the world Top 400 to be eligible to go to Paris. Which is a big challenge, given that, at the moment, she has no points and has been deleted from the WTA hierarchy. Also, Halep must have a presence in Romania's Billie Jean King Cup team. But here, the solution is simple, given that the tricolors are going to meet Ukraine, between April 12-14. It has already been written that there are high chances that “Simo” will be in the team summoned by Horia Tecău for this duel that will take place in the USA, given that it cannot be played in Ukraine due to the war.

Contacted by Agerpres, the head of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR), Mihai Covaliu, admitted that Romania dreams of having Halep in the Paris Olympic delegation.

“We discussed, we keep in touch with the Romanian Tennis Federation, with George Cosac, with Horia Tecău, and they want the same thing. The first step to take is for her to play on the Billie Jean King Cup team and after that, manage to collect points. Or to receive points, there are regulation details that they know much better over there at the Romanian Tennis Federation, we have to take an interest in this aspect as well. I would like the tennis people to come and say: <>. Anyway, she opened a very important chapter and it will remain in history and with this aspect related to how you have to fight to prove your innocence and that an ITIA decision can be changed if you believe that you are innocent and if you fight until at the end as I did Halep“, said the head of COSR.

Mihai Covaliu, president of COSR: It would be a dream come true for Halep to reach the Olympic Games, represent Romania and manage to win a medal.