Sundaymorningguy said:
I am one of those who defended Maria and was like she didn't dope until 2016 when the drug was illegal.
I will also go on record saying I don't like TUEs, but they exist for whatever reason, and it is clear athletes have used them within their right and gone through the proper channel. I can't fault athletes for using a channel given to them. I fault organizations for feeling the need to provide this service to athletes because if they aren't healthy enough to compete then they shouldn't compete. I can't say anything as I haven't seen any of the paperwork to know what is dated when and how. It would be interesting to see some more athlete's records to know how prevalent it is in the sport. I imagine more so. It would be interesting to see the records of say a Tsonga, Nadal and others who have been quite injured through out their careers as well. It would be interesting to see Maria's records as well.
See Front's
post . That includes an actual report page on Serena from ADAMS database of WADA.
You can clearly see that it is a retroactive TUE. It clearly says that prohibited substance (actually two of them, not just one) was found on Serena's system on 17th Nov. 2014. However, she was given a retroactive TUE on 3rd Dec. 2014.
If you are caught with a positive test, that clearly means you are not going through proper channel. Serena was caught with two substances and then got her way out of it using retroactive TUE. She being a top player certainly would have made it easier for her to get away. I just don't trust these ITF/ATP/WTA officials. They covered up for Agassi. They always try to cover up for top players because they bring money to their organizations. There is a basic conflict of interest there.
Serena applauded Maria's courage for coming out and admitting that she too Meldonium instead of bashing her. May be there is a reason for it. May be there is a reason why Serena was so gracious.