Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova fails drugs test

[webfact]

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova fails drugs test



LOS ANGELES: -- Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has announced she has tested positive for a banned substance.

She addressed the world’s media at a hotel in Los Angeles:“I wanted to let you know that a few days ago, I received a letter from the ITF that I had failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.

I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it. For the past 10 years I have been given a medicine called Mildronate. It is very important for you to understand that for 10 years this medicine was not on WADA’s banned list and I had been legally taking the medicine for past 10 years.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency banned the substance in January when Sharapova made her last appearance at the Australian Open.

Sharapova turned professional in 2001 and won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2004 beating Serena Williams.
Her last Grand Slam victory was at the French Open in 2014.

She is currently the world’s highest paid sportswoman.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-03-08

[webfact]

Sharapova says she failed drug test; penalty unknown
By GREG BEACHAM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tennis star Maria Sharapova says she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.

The five-time major champion took full responsibility for her mistake when she made the announcement at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. The former world No. 1 could face a lengthy ban from the International Tennis Federation.

"I know that with this, I face consequences," Sharapova said. "I don't want to end my career this way, and I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game."

The 28-year-old Sharapova said she tested positive for meldonium, which she said she has been taking for 10 years for numerous health issues. Meldonium, thought to be widely used by Russian athletes, became a banned substance this year under the WADA code. Sharapova claimed she didn't notice its addition to the banned list.

"I take great responsibility and professionalism in my job, and I made a huge mistake," Sharapova said. "I let my fans down. I let the sport down that I've been playing since the age of 4, that I love so deeply."

Meldonium, also known as mildronate, is a Latvian-manufactured drug popular for fighting heart disease in former Soviet Union countries. Meldonium treats ischemia, or lack of blood flow, but can be taken in large doses as a performance-enhancer that increases exercise capacity.

Sharapova's penalties could range from a multiyear ban to a minimal sanction with no suspension if officials believe she made an honest mistake. WADA President Craig Reedie told The Associated Press that any athlete found guilty of using meldonium would normally face a one-year suspension.

The ITF's anti-doping program announced in a statement that Sharapova will be provisionally suspended starting this weekend while her case is examined.

"It's my body, and I'm responsible for what I put into it," Sharapova said.

WADA spokesman Ben Nichols said the organization "will refrain from commenting further until a decision has been issued by the ITF. Following that, WADA will review the reasons for the decision and subsequently decide whether or not to use its independent right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

Sharapova said she tested positive shortly before she lost to Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Jan. 26. Sharapova hasn't played since then while recovering from a forearm injury, and she had already dropped out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, which begins this week.

Several athletes have tested positive for meldonium since it was banned in January, including two Ukrainian biathletes and Russian cyclist Eduard Vorganov. Earlier Monday, Russia's Ekaterina Bobrova, a European champion ice dancer, told local media she had tested positive for meldonium.

Sharapova said she began taking meldonium for "several health issues I had back in 2006," including a magnesium deficiency, regular influenza, "irregular" heart test results and early indications of diabetes, of which she has a family history.

Sharapova and her attorney, John J. Hagerty, declined to say where Sharapova was put on the drug or where she gets it now, citing the ongoing process with the ITF.

"I understand the drug is sold particularly in Eastern Europe," Reedie told the AP in a telephone interview. "You can almost get it over the counter. For stronger versions, you might need a prescription. There has been a whole rash of these cases since the 1st of January when it appeared on the banned list. This might not be happening if athletes would be taking more care of the things that are on the list."

Reedie said meldonium can be a "very strong medicine," and that's why WADA scientists decided to place it on the prohibited list.

Sharapova and all players were notified of the changes in the WADA banned substances list shortly before Christmas, but Sharapova said she simply missed the change, failing to click on a button that listed the new substances in the email.

"Because she had taken it for so many years, and it was year after year, it just got off the radar," Hagerty said. "Unfortunately, she didn't catch it. ... When she got the letter, she was shocked, completely stunned. She takes great pride in her integrity and how she approaches the game, and she immediately wanted to come forward and take responsibility."

Sharapova is one of the greatest players of her generation, with 35 career singles titles and over $36 million in career earnings. She is currently No. 7 in the WTA rankings after playing just three tournaments and the Fed Cup final in the last eight months since Wimbledon due to injuries.

"I am very saddened to hear this news about Maria," WTA CEO Steve Simon said in a statement. "Maria is a leader and I have always known her to be a woman of great integrity. Nevertheless, as Maria acknowledged, it is every player's responsibility to know what they put in their body and to know if it is permissible."

Sharapova is thought to be the world's highest-paid female athlete due to her extensive business ventures and endorsement deals. Forbes estimated her earnings at $29.5 million for 2015.

Sharapova burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old Wimbledon champion in 2004, beating Williams in the final. She won the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008 before finally completing the career Grand Slam with French Open titles in 2012 and 2014.

She became the world's top-ranked player in August 2005 and held the ranking five times for 21 weeks during her career.

But Sharapova has struggled with injuries throughout her career, repeatedly forcing her to take extended breaks from competition. She had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, forcing her to change her serving motion, and has struggled with hamstring injuries.

Sharapova was born in Russia and lived in Sochi before moving to Florida as a child to begin her tennis career. She lives primarily in the Los Angeles area now.
___

AP Sports Writers James Ellingsworth, Steve Wilson and Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-03-08

[Trentham]

Well I for one hope she is banned. I never watch her because I cannot stand her shriek every time she hits the ball.

[Ireland32]

I hope not , I met her after Wimbledon Win at 17, Very Nice , low key, she used to spend her Summer's at Newport Beach Breakers, she signed a Sports Illustrated for me I met Monica Seles, she was louder...

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Maria Sharapova, best legs in Tennis.

[F4UCorsair]

And loses a Nike $70 Million contract. Ouch!!

She'll be crying poor, net worth of about $300M.

Her shrieking won't be missed.

Edited March 8, 2016 by F4UCorsair

[Thongkorn]

Maria Sharapova, best legs in Tennis.

f

You should be watching her balls metoforicaly speaking

[sead]

Drug tests should also be taken during ofseason when they are bulking up. Thats when they are using it most. Why havent they checked wiliams yet. Williams are the only one escaping drugtests on purpose.... or are they waiting for her to quit tennis so she can be one of the best ever and thereafter start drugtests in tennis for real

[little mary sunshine]

Another Russian cheat, get in line with Armstrong, another American low life!

[chuckd]

Drug tests should also be taken during ofseason when they are bulking up. Thats when they are using it most. Why havent they checked wiliams yet. Williams are the only one escaping drugtests on purpose.... or are they waiting for her to quit tennis so she can be one of the best ever and thereafter start drugtests in tennis for real

How about giving as a link to support this nonsense.

[homeseeker]

1. he 28-year-old Sharapova said she tested positive for meldonium, which she said she has been taking for 10 years for numerous health issues. Meldonium, thought to be widely used by Russian athletes, became a banned substance this year under the WADA code. Sharapova claimed she didn't notice its addition to the banned list.

   -What a load of rubbish. A drugs cheat like so many, and she ought to be banned for life and her winnings/trophies returned.

[sead]

Drug tests should also be taken during ofseason when they are bulking up. Thats when they are using it most. Why havent they checked wiliams yet. Williams are the only one escaping drugtests on purpose.... or are they waiting for her to quit tennis so she can be one of the best ever and thereafter start drugtests in tennis for real

How about giving as a link to support this nonsense.

Stop being a smartass and google williams+ drugtests. Its widely knows in tenniscircuits about her. She is the only one that when she knew there were waiting a dope test team for her she suddenly felt ill (during the match) and were transported to hospital and were undergoing surgery so they could test her. Its not newsflash exactly. Check her muscles , She is running like shes 45kg. her serves are faster than the male competitors. . read on.. and stop being naive

October 26, 2011: Williams retreats to panic room and calls 911 when ITF doping control officer arrives for 6am out-of-competition test. No public comment made by Williams about the incident. ITF anti-doping statistics indicate that zero out-of-competition samples were collected from Williams in 2010 and 2011. No explanation given by ITF or Williams on why no sample was collected during panic room incident.

February 28, 2011: Williams returns to hospital "because of a large hematoma on her stomach. The gathering of blood under the skin grew from a "golf ball" to the size of "a grapefruit."

February 2011: Williams hospitalized for a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).

[whybother]

1. he 28-year-old Sharapova said she tested positive for meldonium, which she said she has been taking for 10 years for numerous health issues. Meldonium, thought to be widely used by Russian athletes, became a banned substance this year under the WADA code. Sharapova claimed she didn't notice its addition to the banned list.

   -What a load of rubbish. A drugs cheat like so many, and she ought to be banned for life and her winnings/trophies returned.

Why? She won all those tournaments without taking banned drugs. The drug was only banned on Jan 1st this year.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

I don't care what you say about her,she's lovely,all 6ft something of her.i would love to do a 'doubles' with her and Anna korsikova.it would be a case of 3 love all round.Just as long as Maria does the service noises at the same time.

[chuckd]

Drug tests should also be taken during ofseason when they are bulking up. Thats when they are using it most. Why havent they checked wiliams yet. Williams are the only one escaping drugtests on purpose.... or are they waiting for her to quit tennis so she can be one of the best ever and thereafter start drugtests in tennis for real

How about giving as a link to support this nonsense.

Stop being a smartass and google williams+ drugtests. Its widely knows in tenniscircuits about her. She is the only one that when she knew there were waiting a dope test team for her she suddenly felt ill (during the match) and were transported to hospital and were undergoing surgery so they could test her. Its not newsflash exactly. Check her muscles , She is running like shes 45kg. her serves are faster than the male competitors. . read on.. and stop being naive

October 26, 2011: Williams retreats to panic room and calls 911 when ITF doping control officer arrives for 6am out-of-competition test. No public comment made by Williams about the incident. ITF anti-doping statistics indicate that zero out-of-competition samples were collected from Williams in 2010 and 2011. No explanation given by ITF or Williams on why no sample was collected during panic room incident.

February 28, 2011: Williams returns to hospital "because of a large hematoma on her stomach. The gathering of blood under the skin grew from a "golf ball" to the size of "a grapefruit."

February 2011: Williams hospitalized for a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).

Well, here I am being a smartass again. I particularly enjoy that role when somebody makes an incredibly weak response to providing support for their wild allegations.

You say:

1. " October 26, 2011: Williams retreats to panic room and calls 911 when ITF doping control officer arrives for 6am out-of-competition test. No public comment made by Williams about the incident. ITF anti-doping statistics indicate that zero out-of-competition samples were collected from Williams in 2010 and 2011. No explanation given by ITF or Williams on why no sample was collected during panic room incident."

While you were careful not to actually provide a link, I did find something in the NY Post that indicated she did retreat to a panic room about that time frame when she thought an intruder was trying to get on the property. My link closes with this remark...

"Cops responded to the 911 call but quickly left the property when the misunderstanding was discovered. It was not known whether Williams submitted to the drug test."

http://nypost.com/2011/11/02/serena-williams-locks-herself-in-panic-room-in-drug-test-mix-up/

2. "February 28, 2011: Williams returns to hospital "because of a large hematoma on her stomach. The gathering of blood under the skin grew from a "golf ball" to the size of "a grapefruit."

February 2011: Williams hospitalized for a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).

Yet again you failed to provide a link but I did find this explanation of her February 2011 hospital stay as published by ESPN.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Serena Williams discusses health scare

Mar 9, 2011

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams still has blood clots in her lung but hopes to return to tennis this summer after recovering from a pulmonary embolism, which she called the "scariest moment in my life."

The 13-time Grand Slam champion spoke on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday from Los Angeles, saying she hasn't left her house much since going to the hospital nearly three weeks ago.

"I had a lot of swelling in my leg, which really is a telltale sign of an embolism, and I could not breathe," Williams said.

Article continues here: http://espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=6196383

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I see absolutely nothing in there to indicate she was avoiding any random drug tests, but then I am not a psychic, as you so obviously feel you are.

You have proven nothing with your bold type and name calling to support your claims.

You simply have nothing.

[Steely Dan]

How disappointing, but as I do have my principles I'll have to ditch her as my Mia Noi.

[sead]

Ok, so lets close this topic with some nice pictures

Oh btw in case someone is wondering... The lower 3 pictures is a woman, A tennisplayer not a bodybuilder.

Edited March 9, 2016 by sead

[little mary sunshine]

Another freaken cheat....You and Lance hope you

Wind up in the poor house together...Trash in Sports!

Edited March 9, 2016 by little mary sunshine

[nottocus]

Another freaken cheat....You and Lance hope you

Wind up in the poor house together...Trash in Sports!

They are all cheats mate.

Nadal? Boult?

If you believe they aren't cheats than you believe in the tooth fairy.

[Rhys]

Really think she gives a flying drop shot...made so much loot already... time to enjoy it..

Why don't they test the tennis officials on court? Line judge, net judge and umpire..

[mcfish]

Really think she gives a flying drop shot...made so much loot already... time to enjoy it..

Why don't they test the tennis officials on court? Line judge, net judge and umpire..

It's the other way around. She couldn't care less about the money it long ago stopped to matter but she does care about her legacy, just look at Lance Armstrong..

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[copa8]

Ok, so lets close this topic with some nice pictures

Oh btw in case someone is wondering... The lower 3 pictures is a woman, A tennisplayer not a bodybuilder.

That black dude looks kinda silly wearing a skirt.

[chuckd]

Ok, so lets close this topic with some nice pictures

Oh btw in case someone is wondering... The lower 3 pictures is a woman, A tennisplayer not a bodybuilder.

That black dude looks kinda silly wearing a skirt.

That "black dude" is the all time leading money winner on the WTA tour with lifetime earnings of...$75,360,291.

Sharapova is in second place with...$36,766,149.

The "black dude's" older sister stands at number three with career earnings of...$32,750,021.

Any of her critics want to post their career earnings records?

Better than that, would any of her critics like to post a link that proves she is taking or has taken drugs?

http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Career_Prize_Money_Top_100.pdf

Edited March 9, 2016 by chuckd