Sharapova fails drug test

[Federberg]

http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/03/07/maria-sharapova-positive-test-meldonium-drug-history-benefits

 

[kskate2]

This is a big deal. I believe she took the risk which was a mistake in itself. :nono A professional athlete of her caliber knew the risk. She deserves a 2 year ban minimum. Really surprised that she would put her career and endorsements in jeopardy like that. Her decision to take this drug reeks of desperation.

 

[britbox]

Just read on Twitter,Porche,Sharapova's car sponsor like Nike is postponing further activities,also Watch maker Tag Heuer released a statement saying they will not renew their contract with Sharapova.

I guess the attempt to try and control the story (and yes, I believe that was what the press conference was really about) hasn't panned out as hoped. It was a long shot anyway... no corporates in their right mind want to be associated with athletes who fail dope tests and are out of the game with a ban. I think it's a bit different with Lance Armstrong, as he hadn't failed a test and denied it for long time before he eventually came clean (under FBI duress), so I think the corporates were waiting for that one to unfold before they took drastic measures.

 

[britbox]

http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/03/07/maria-sharapova-positive-test-meldonium-drug-history-benefits

Hey @Federberg, I'm wondering how many out of that bunch of athletes, are going with the "family doctor prescribed it for...." argument. Lol.

 

[Federberg]

Hey @Federberg, I'm wondering how many out of that bunch of athletes, are going with the "family doctor prescribed it for...." argument. Lol.

Yes exactly! I always say if it smells like faeces it probably is, but then I'm a cynic

 

[Federberg]

I guess the attempt to try and control the story (and yes, I believe that was what the press conference was really about) hasn't panned out as hoped. It was a long shot anyway... no corporates in their right mind want to be associated with athletes who fail dope tests and are out of the game with a ban. I think it's a bit different with Lance Armstrong, as he hadn't failed a test and denied it for long time before he eventually came clean (under FBI duress), so I think the corporates were waiting for that one to unfold before they took drastic measures.

Is Sharapova a US citizen now? Because if she is, then this might not end here. There is a serious amount of dosh at stake

 

[Federberg]

Here's an excerpt of the FT's editorial on this...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0d7a070a-e522-11e5-bc31-138df2ae9ee6.html#axzz42DiDF1gb


"Her personal brands, which she sees as an insurance policy against declining commercial endorsements, are more vulnerable. Apart from anything else, the Russian-born player’s admission that she was taking the now-banned drug in part because of a family history of diabetes must complicate promotion of Sugarpova, her range of candy.

“Believe me, I will be very happy when I finish. There will be no regrets,” Ms Sharapova told the FT last year. If punishment for her lapse ends her career prematurely, she may revisit the second part of that statement. It is a cruel reality that tennis and its commercial backers can do without Ms Sharapova. Whether she can do without tennis is a different matter."

 

[Riotbeard]

I feel a bit bad for Masha (not a fan, hate the screaming). I can see her not knowing, but if her medical team let this happen, than she should start lopping off heads. She definitely needs a serious ban (at least a year), but I can see her not knowing and incompetence within her organization missing this. People act like corporations are made up of competent people. Who knows what kind of dopes have attached themselves to her brand. Being good marketers, doesn't me every i gets dotted and t crossed.

That being said, none of it matters. If they want to have a clean sport, it has to be pretty zero tolerance. I do think she handled it really well, all things considered.

 

[tossip]

This is a big deal. I believe she took the risk which was a mistake in itself. :nono A professional athlete of her caliber knew the risk. She deserves a 2 year ban minimum. Really surprised that she would put her career and endorsements in jeopardy like that. Her decision to take this drug reeks of desperation.

I think she knew something was up after Wimbledon,she did a Gasquet and skipped the USA Open.
I am surprised young American players are supporting this cheat...blinded by looks.Madison Keys,Jamie Hampton and Ryan Harrison shame on you.:snicker
she should get 2yrs just like any other cheat..

 

[kskate2]

im curious to see how her sponsors react.

3 of the major ones have cut ties

 

[britbox]

I was just thinking... maybe Maria would have been better off doing a deal with the ITF/WTA and actually retired. I reckon they would have done that deal.

 

[tossip]

she was desperate to beat Serena....bwahaha because she was caught right after their match..

 

[Federberg]

I was just thinking... maybe Maria would have been better off doing a deal with the ITF/WTA and actually retired. I reckon they would have done that deal.

I agree. It wouldn't surprise me if some of those sudden retirements on the women's side have been for reasons like that. Can't help feeling that there was a game of chicken in this case, and for once the ITF/WTA grew some balls

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I want to emphasize three points once again.

1. It is not that this drug has gone overnight from legal to illegal status. This drug was placed
on "monitored but not banned" list on Jan 1st 2015. This means they will monitor for the presence of this drug in the system but will not penalize you if found. If you are taking this drug, you should immediately become cautious and make sure to keep a close watch on the developments concerning this drug. Moreover, she does not have to do it herself and her team can do that and in fact would
have been doing that. They took a calculated risk nonetheless and it backfired.

2. The argument that this drug stays in the system for 2 months or so and it could have been detected due to she taking before Jan 1 2016 is not valid either. WADA had already announced in
September 2015 itself that this drug will be banned effective from 1st Jan 2016.

3. Maria living in USA, if she has any medical conditions, such as Magnesium deficiency or whatever, it is reasonable to expect that she would consult a US doctor. Given that this drug is
not approved by the FDA and is of Latvian origin, a US doctor would not even prescribe it.
So, it is highly likely that the real reason that Maria is taking this drug (even though it was
legal till the end of 2015) is not so much to deal with magnesium deficiency but to gain
competitive advantage in endurance.

 

[tossip]

I thought it was a slap on the face for Porsche to endorse Pova rather than a German player. I am glad she is being exposed for the cheater that she is.

My next comment might have to be deleted because of this board's policy, but she did take growth hormone before it was added to the banned list. My husband knows people in the industry who confirm that she took it.

A career built on gaining an advantage at any cost. She should not be anyone's role model. Shame on those players who don't have the guts to condemn her publicly.

all the young Americans are supporting her..:cover...the naivety is alarming..#blindedbytheperoxide

 

[the AntiPusher]

I thought it was a slap on the face for Porsche to endorse Pova rather than a German player. I am glad she is being exposed for the cheater that she is.

My next comment might have to be deleted because of this board's policy, but she did take growth hormone before it was added to the banned list. My husband knows people in the industry who confirm that she took it.

A career built on gaining an advantage at any cost. She should not be anyone's role model. Shame on those players who don't have the guts to condemn her publicly.

all the young Americans are supporting her..:cover...the naivety is alarming..#blindedbytheperoxide

This is getting as bad as Tiger's fall in regards to loosing sponsorships

 

[tossip]

good example of her cheating was USA Open Final 2006,her eyes were glassy ..then the clay dominance.

 

[tossip]

I thought it was a slap on the face for Porsche to endorse Pova rather than a German player. I am glad she is being exposed for the cheater that she is.

My next comment might have to be deleted because of this board's policy, but she did take growth hormone before it was added to the banned list. My husband knows people in the industry who confirm that she took it.

A career built on gaining an advantage at any cost. She should not be anyone's role model. Shame on those players who don't have the guts to condemn her publicly.

all the young Americans are supporting her..:cover...the naivety is alarming..#blindedbytheperoxide

This is getting as bad as Tiger's fall in regards to loosing sponsorships

at least Tiger was just cheating on his wife...

 

[Fefe26]

so apparently this drug is only to be taken 4-6 weeks, not over a 10 year span. She spoke about diabetes, but it said it is use for cardiovascular reasons. while i feel bad for her, i feel she did this to save face. Do it before someone else outs me or to make her look like an honest person. i wonder if this was serena how much worst would the publicity be.

 

[Fefe26]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35752388