Maria Sharapova admits to failing drug test, will be provisionally banned

[azurnoir]

Source: CNN

Maria Sharapova, who has long been the world's richest female athlete, will be suspended from tennis after she admitted to failing a drug test at the Australian Open in January.

A sombre looking Sharapova, speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles Monday, said she'd been taking the drug, meldonium, since 2006 and didn't realize it was declared a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at the start of 2016.

The International Tennis Federation, about an hour after her admission, then said on its website that the 28-year old would be provisionally banned from March 12 "pending determination of the case." The usual penalty for first-time offenders is two years.

The failed drug test came on January 26 -- after Sharapova lost to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals -- and she was charged with an anti-doping violation on March 2, the governing body additionally said.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/07/tennis/maria-sharapova-tennis-injuries/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

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What is meldonium?

Meldonium is a metabolic modulator that aids blood flow and is used to treat patients suffering from heart failure and cardiac issues. While it is used to treat cardiac and vascular diseases, it was found to have a positive influence on healthy athletes given it can increase endurance and aerobic capabilities, with Wada finding evidence that it had been abused for that purpose.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/what-is-meldonium-maria-sharapova-tests-positive-for-banned-substance-a6918021.html

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. I think her coach and her trainer failed.

They should know what drugs she takes, and they should stay on top of rule changes.

Yes, it's ultimately her responsibility, but her staff let her down. Her job is to train and play tennis, and to pose for advertising.

If she's banned for two years, that may be the end of her competitive career. She's getting "old" (in two years, she'll be in her thirties!)

[apnu]

5. Wasn't that a recent rule change and when she took those drugs they were legal?

But still in her system after the rule change and they came up in the testing?

I respect her for taking responsibility with such authority and conviction. Usually athletes try to weasel out of such things, but not her. That speaks volumes to her integrity.

[Hoppy]

2. She thought it was ok because it was prescribed by her physician.

The drug is used for vascular and cardiac diseases. Which of these was diagnosed by the physician --- or does the physician need a review of his/her license?

[PatrynXX]

3. I'm on another med for pre diebeties

So the Tennis World and Nike are saying he die first before going up for Tennis?? meh see ya later Nike not that anyone buys Nike anymore

[maxsolomon]

7. Hi, just logged on to tell you that this comment makes zero sense

And Nike is a phenomenally profitable brand.

Have a nice day!

[blackspade]

4. If it was medically perscribed under another name then a suspension is not warranted.

Good for her to accept responsibility none the less.
A class act.

[Akicita]

6. Sounds like an innocent mistake. I hope they go easy on her.