Maria Sharapova announcement: Tennis star reveals failed drugs test in shock press conference for taking meldonium
The Russian delivered the shocking revelation in a press conference at a hotel in Los Angeles
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Maria Sharapova held a press conference this evening to deliver a "major announcement" and reveal that she failed a regulation drug test at the Australian Open earlier this year after testing positive for Meldoniun, a substance that was banned on 1 January 2016 that she admits to taking unaware it had been outlawed.
- Maria Sharapova reveals she has failed a drug test
- Sharapova accepts "full responsibility" for taking banned substance meldonium
- Russian has taken drug since 2006 but it was only banned on 1 January 2016
- Sharapova didn't check updated Wada banned substances list
- Positive test came on same day as her Australian Open quarter-final loss to Serena Williams
- Sharapova facing up to a two-year ban
- What is meldonium and what does it do?
Follow the latest news from the press conference below...
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The International Tennis Federation has just confirmed that Sharapova will be provisionally suspended with effect from 12 March.
The concept of taking drugs will subconciously seep into the minds of curious young children when they watch her play. They will do the math and think it's the right thing to do.Anthony SteeIeat 9:32 PM
That's the danger with Performance Enhancing Drugs, Anthony. However, it's worth noting that meldonium was not a banned substance until 1 January 2016, therefore she was not deemed to be breaking the regulations until earlier this year. While she has accepted responsibility for the failed test, she has still broken the rules and almost certainly faces a lengthy ban, but the ITF could take that into consideration and take a lenient approach with Sharapova. The outcome remains to be seen.
That's it for our coverage of tonight's incredible press conference. To recap:
- Maria Sharapova has admitted to taking the banned substance meldonium after a failed drug test
- Sharapova failed the test at the Australian Open in January
- Meldonium was only added to Wada's banned substances list on 1 January 2016
- The ITF has provisionally suspended Sharapova effective from the 12 March
- Sharapova has taken the drug since 2006 and accepts "full responsibility" for the failed test
- Sharapova now faces up to a two-year ban
What began as a day where we expected to see Sharapova retire has ended with the biggest name in women's sport having her reputation left in tatters. The revelation that she had failed a drug test was one of the most shocking moments ever seen in sporting history, and it remains to be seen what an independent tribunal decides is the correct punishment for Sharapova, who added that she hopes to continue her career once any ban expires.
Thanks for joining us and follow the Independent on Tuesday morning for all the latest developmenets and reaction.
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