Maria Sharapova’s excuse for a failed drug test treats fans as dopes

WE should not be mourning the positive substance test of Maria Sharapova, we should be celebrating her ability to play at the highest level while clearly so ‘sick’.

Maria Sharapova News Conference

WE should not be mourning the positive substance test of Maria Sharapova, we should be celebrating her ability to play at the highest level while clearly so sick.

Well that’s what you should be doing if you believe that Sharapova has been taking Meldonium/Mildronate for years in order to combat magnesium deficiency and due to a family history of diabetes.

Maybe Maria does have a magnesium deficiency that a daily banana can’t fix, who am I to say her family has not got a history of diabetes?

But here’s the thing, the substance Maria chose to fix these maladies just happens to be a performance enhancing drug.

We shouldn't be persecuting #sharapova. We should erect monuments to her bravery overcoming cardiac problems for 10yrs.Hollywood movie stuff

— Ross Tucker (@Scienceofsport) March 7, 2016

Doesn't look that innocent for Sharapova or whoever else took it, this Meldonium stuff but who knows? https://t.co/IBqop5ggHZ

— Matt Ebden (@mattebden) March 7, 2016

One review of the effects of Meldonium on exercise performance listed the following benefits:

* Decreased levels of lactate and urea in blood

* Improved economy of glycogen: level of glycogen increased in the cells during the long-lasting exercise

* Increased endurance properties and aerobic capabilities of athletes

* Improved functional parameters of heart activity

* Increased physical work capabilities

* Increased rate of recovery after maximal and sub-maximal loads

And there is evidence that WADA knew this drug was being abused by athletes at least as early as 2015.

In a recent article on the drug, performance athlete Jake Shelley wrote that Meldonium is an anti-ischaemic drug used clinically to treat angina, myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure.

It is manufactured in Latvia under the commercial name of Mildronate and is one of the country’s largest exports, with turnover reaching EUR 65 million in 2013. It is not yet approved by the FDA for use in the USA.

Tennis player Maria Sharapova reacts as she addresses the media regarding a failed substance test.

So the Sharapova diabetes drug has been known to be used by elite athletes since the 80’s!Must be lots of sporting diabetics…’)

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) March 7, 2016

If I'm the richest sportswoman in the world I'm paying doctors & assistants to read my important emails - like ones from WADA. #Sharapova

— Todd Balym (@balym_GCB) March 7, 2016

Meldonium was added to the WADA list of banned substances on January 1, 2016 because of “evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.”

This evidence had led WADA to add the drug to its monitoring program a year prior to the ban, on January 1st 2015.

During this monitoring period 8320 random doping control urine samples covering different classes of sport either from in- or out-of-competition were analysed for the presence of Meldonium. 182 positive Meldonium findings were returned.

With the evidence in, WADA chose to add the drug to its banned list effective from January 1 this year.

Keep in mind that WADA adds drugs only once per year. Athletes receive a letter from WADA outlining new drugs that are banned only once per year.

Sharapova said she received the letter from WADA on December 22 detailing the changes to the 2016 banned list, which she didn’t read.

Sports fans are being asked to believe Maria Sharapova took a substance known to enhance endurance performance for reasons other than the desire to enhance endurance performance.

Sports fans are being asked to believe Maria Sharapova, and her extensive retinue of trainers and dietitians, did not read the list of drugs that WADA had added to the banned list.

Sports fans are being taken for a ride by Maria Sharapova.

Originally published as Maria Sharapova’s excuse for a failed drug test treats fans as dopes