We didn’t see that coming…
When Maria Sharapova said she had to do a major announcement, we had the impression that, after so much struggle with her body, she was about to call it a career. The truth, and a terrible one, is that Maria is still quite eager to compete, but she will most probably be sidelined by a terrible fact that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.
Maria was notified the 2nd of March.
Sharapova. I made a huge mistake…
According to Maria she got a substance (Mildronate / Meldonium) that was banned since January the 1st and she and her team didn’t pay attention to that. So Maria got the substance in Melbourne to help recovery and she failed the test the day she played against Serena Williams (quarters).
Maria said she has been taking the substance for 10 years since she was suffering for magnesium deficiency. She commented “and I had a magnesium deficiency. I also had an irregular EKG result, and I have a family history of diabetes.”
Then Maria added “I made a huge mistake and I let my fans down and let the sport down that I’ve been playing since age 4 and that I love so deeply,”
… I do not want to end like this
Finally, the Rusian Beauty commented “I don’t want to end my career this way, and I hope i’m given another chance to play this game,”
| FROM THE CNN |
The ITF
After Maria spoke, the ITF came out with the following press release
Following the statement made by Maria Sharapova in a press conference today, the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) can confirm the following:
– On 26 January 2016, Ms Sharapova provided an anti-doping sample to the TADP in association with her participation in the 2016 Australian Open.
– That sample was analysed by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory, which returned a positive for meldonium, which is a prohibited substance under the WADA Code and, therefore also the TADP.
– In accordance with Article 8.1.1 of the TADP, Ms Sharapova was charged on 2 March with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
– Ms Sharapova has accepted the finding of meldonium in her sample collected on 26 January.
– As meldonium is a non-specified substance under the WADA (and, therefore, TADP) list of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods, Ms Sharapova will be provisionally suspended with effect from 12 March, pending determination of the case.
The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is a comprehensive and internationally recognised drug-testing programme that applies to all players competing at Grand Slam tournaments and events sanctioned by the ITF, ATP, and WTA. Players are tested for substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and, upon a finding that an Anti-Doping Rule Violation has been committed, sanctions are imposed in accordance with the requirements of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and World Anti-Doping Code.
Tough day…
