(ATR) The Russian Tennis Federation president says Maria Sharapova’s suspension for a failed drugs test shouldn’t keep her from playing for Russia at the Rio Olympics.
Sharapova announced on Monday that she had tested positive at the Australian Open for meldonium. The 28-year-old said she had not realized that the drug, which she had been taking since 2006, had been put on WADA’s banned list effective at the beginning of the year.
But Sharapova admitted she did not look at the 2016 prohibited substance list that she received from WADA in December. Her provisional ban begins March 12.
Shamil Tarpishchev, the Russian tennis head, told the TASS news agency "I think this is just a load of nonsense. The sportsmen take what they are given by the physiotherapists and by the doctors. I think Sharapova will play at the Olympics. However, we will need to see how this will develop."
Sharapova won a silver medal at the London Games in 2012. She also carried the Olympic Torch into the stadium during the opening of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.
She may still have the support of the Russian Tennis Federation but Sharapova is losing sponsors on the heels of her failed drugs test.
According to multiple reports, Nike is suspending its relationship with her while watchmaker TAG Heuer has decided to not renew its sponsorship deal with Sharapova, who has five Grand Slam titles among her career total of 35 singles titles.
A third sponsor, Porsche, says it is postponing planned activities with Sharapova for the time being.
Written by Gerard Farek
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