Roland-Garros: Rafael Nadal’s infiltrations considered doping? Some athletes point to – LaDepeche.fr

the essential Rafael Nadal revealed that he received anesthetic treatments to be able to play (and win) the Parisian tournament, despite the syndrome affecting his foot. Question: “How many injections did you receive during the tournament?” Answer: “It’s better you don’t know!” Scene captured at Olrad-Garros on Sunday June 5, around 7:30 p.m., shortly after Rafael Nadal’s historic 14th coronation at Porte d’Auteuil. Question asked by a journalist, to which the Spanish champion answered with a smile. Also read: INTERVIEW. Rafael Nadal: “I played in extreme conditions, with anesthetized foot.” How the Spaniard won Roland-Garros while withstanding the pain We know that the Majorcan was affected by Müller-Weiss syndrome, a degenerative and incurable condition, which causes him deep pain in his left foot. Thus, to be able to compete victoriously in the Parisian tournament, Nadal played under infiltration. But what exactly are we talking about? Local injections of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory products, most often derivatives of cortisone, such as corticosteroids. Also read: VIDEO. Roland-Garros: “I’m going to fight to try to continue” launches Rafael Nadal after his 14th Porte d’Auteuil title “Today’s heroes…” Let’s face it: it’s an extremely common practice in all high level sports or almost, to temporarily reduce severe pain. Completely legal practice. But some athletes winced, listening to Rafael Nadal. In the forefront of which: Thibaut Pinot, the French cycling champion. The Franc-Comtois joked on his Twitter account. “Today’s heroes…” he wrote in comment to Nadal’s revelation about his infiltrations. Message accompanied by two “smileys” which let understand the doubts of the cyclist. Also read: VIDEO. Roland-Garros: invincible Rafael Nadal who wins his 14th Porte d’Auteuil title at the expense of Casper Ruud (6-3, 6-3, 6-0) Thibaut Pinot has very often taken a stand, in recent years, against the use corticosteroids. He belongs to the MPCC, the Movement for Credible Cycling, an association which bans all recourse to infiltrations during moments of competition: “Corticosteroid infiltrations, which do not require an AUT (Therapeutic Use Authorization), must be validated by the doctor in charge of the team, who will obligatorily prescribe a minimum of 8 days off work and competition and a cortisol level control” indicates in particular the charter of the MPCC. Read also: Rafael Nadal has the heavens for crutches The situation of cycling, affected by numerous and very serious doping cases, is unique in the world of sport The authorities have thus tightened the regulations, such as the International Federation (UCI) which has banned the use of corticosteroids at the start of 2022. But on the side of tennis, or even football, infiltrations are not prohibited.