FINALLY, Anais Lavillenie has expressed her deepest regret and apologized for what she did to World No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena last October 13 when she publicly accused the Filipino of doping without basis in social media.
In a letter addressed by the wife of 2012 London Olympics gold medalist Renaud Lavillenie on Tuesday to Obiena, Anais admitted her stupidity when she linked the name of Obiena and his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov in performance enhancing drugs.
“I made a stupid amalgam that I should never have done and writer, I admit, and that’s why I deleted the comment after the fact, but the damage was done. I’m sincerely sorry,” Anais letter said which was also posted on Obiena’s Facebook page on Thursday evening.
“I am aware that I have disrespected you and your coach and I deeply regret my act. Thank you for understanding my apologies for my unacceptable behavior. Good luck for your training,” Anais Lavillenie added.
Obiena, 27, accepted the apology.
“I accept her apology. She admits she was wrong and she admits what she did was wrong. This fact, alongside all other facts, makes it clear. I am a 100% CLEAN ATHLETE,” Obiena, the two-time Asian Champion, said.
The Olympic-bound Obiena, who also bagged the country’s first-ever silver medal in the 2023 World Championships last August, won the first-ever Asian Games gold medal last September in Hangzhou, China.