MARIA SHARAPOVA’S FUTURE in tennis could be cleared up next week when Russian officials meet the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) uncertainty over meldonium provides a lifeline for the former world number one’s career.
Meldonium was added to WADA’s banned list at the start of 2016, with Sharapova one of 172 athletes to have failed drug tests after it was detected in their samples.
WADA revealed on Wednesday that “a lack of clear scientific information” meant that they could not determine how long meldonium, a drug used to treat heart conditions, stayed in an athlete’s system.
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WADA could lift suspensions of athletes found to have less than one microgram per millilitre in samples taken before March. Sharapova failed a drugs test at the Australian Open in January.
“The situation with Sharapova may be settled after 21 April, when I am going to meet the ITF president,” Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpishchev told TASS.
The meeting is expected to bring some clarity into (Sharapova’s meldonium case). It is too early to say that Sharapova is going to perform at the Olympics.”
John Haggerty, Maria Sharapova’s attorney, responded strongly to WADA’s revelations, accusing the agency of mishandling meldonium’s addition to the banned substances list.
A statement read: “The fact that WADA felt compelled to issue this unusual statement now is proof of how poorly they handled issues relating to meldonium in 2015.
Given the fact that scores of athletes have tested positive for taking what previously was a legal product, it’s clear WADA did not handle this properly last year and they’re trying to make up for it now.
“The notice underscores why so many legitimate questions have been raised concerning WADA’s process in banning meldonium as well as the manner in which they notified players. This notice should have been widely distributed in 2015, when it would have made a difference in the lives of many athletes.”
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Maria Sharapova's future in tennis could be decided next week
MARIA SHARAPOVA’S FUTURE in tennis could be cleared up next week when Russian officials meet the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) uncertainty over meldonium provides a lifeline for the former world number one’s career.
Meldonium was added to WADA’s banned list at the start of 2016, with Sharapova one of 172 athletes to have failed drug tests after it was detected in their samples.
WADA revealed on Wednesday that “a lack of clear scientific information” meant that they could not determine how long meldonium, a drug used to treat heart conditions, stayed in an athlete’s system.
WADA could lift suspensions of athletes found to have less than one microgram per millilitre in samples taken before March. Sharapova failed a drugs test at the Australian Open in January.
“The situation with Sharapova may be settled after 21 April, when I am going to meet the ITF president,” Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpishchev told TASS.
John Haggerty, Maria Sharapova’s attorney, responded strongly to WADA’s revelations, accusing the agency of mishandling meldonium’s addition to the banned substances list.
A statement read: “The fact that WADA felt compelled to issue this unusual statement now is proof of how poorly they handled issues relating to meldonium in 2015.
“The notice underscores why so many legitimate questions have been raised concerning WADA’s process in banning meldonium as well as the manner in which they notified players. This notice should have been widely distributed in 2015, when it would have made a difference in the lives of many athletes.”
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attorney Controversy Maria Sharapova Meldonium Rio 2016 Tennis WADA