[Courtesy of Women's Tennis Association]
Maria Sharapova, a Russian tennis star failed a drug test during January’s Australian Open.
The tennis star held a news conference on Monday and spoke, "I did fail the test, and I take full responsibility for it." She was tested positive for the substance meldonium, which was added to the lost of substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in January.
Sharapova told the media that she was taking the drug for personal health reasons for 10 years. She explained that the drug was for her family history of diabetes, magnesium deficiency, and irregular electrical activity of heart.
According to Sharapova, WADA sent an email with information about new banned substances in December, but she said “I did not click on that link.” Meldonium is a Latvian-manufactured drug widely used in Soviet Union countries to fight heart disease, but due to the substance enhancing blood oxygen circulation which could increase endurance, it is banned by WADA.
Several cases of meldonium positive results were found during tests taken in January. Russian cyclist Eduard Vorganov, Russian figure skater Ekaterina Bobrova, and two Ukrainian biathletes were tested positive for the substance.
International Tennis Federation did not speak on what kind of charges Sharapova would face. Her penalties could vary from a multiyear ban to a minimal sanction with no suspension depending on whether the officials believe she made a mistake in taking meldonium.
Maria Sharapova is a Russian pro tennis player, who is ranked sixth in the world rankings. The tennis star is also famous for her modeling career. She modeled in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and appeared in many advertisements including Nike, and Canon.
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