Not heard of the substance before, but it's clearly marketed in Russia for performance benefits. No idea what 'medical condition' she could claim she was taking it for, seeing as it isn't FDA approved. Basically suggests she's been using it 'legally' for performance reasons but has been a div and not checked when WADA updated their list. Oops.
As much as I agree she's in the wrong (and actually applaud her for accepting that and accepting full responsibility), I do have a certain amount of sympathy for her. This is something that she's been using for 10 years, and is prescribed by her doctor.
The mistake she has made is to not look at the email she was sent, and not open the attachment, and not send that on to her doctor for advice. She's in the wrong, and ought to be punished, but I don't see her as a cheat in the same way as other athletes.
I see her on a par with someone like Alain Baxter.
As much as I agree she's in the wrong (and actually applaud her for accepting that and accepting full responsibility), I do have a certain amount of sympathy for her. This is something that she's been using for 10 years, and is prescribed by her doctor.
The mistake she has made is to not look at the email she was sent, and not open the attachment, and not send that on to her doctor for advice. She's in the wrong, and ought to be punished, but I don't see her as a cheat in the same way as other athletes.
I see her on a par with someone like Alain Baxter.
Yeah completely agree, but what a ****ing major **** up. Jeez. You'd think that someone with her worth and value would have one trusted person who's job it was to make sure nothing like this could ever happen. Do feel a bit sorry for her to be honest, because I doubt she's the worst offender on the tour and she's going to pay for all of the frustration and rumours that surround tennis right now.
"I think Sharapova will play at the Olympics.
"The sportsmen take what they are given by the physiotherapists and by the doctors. However, we will need to see how this will develop."
Good piece here by British sprinter and occasional bobsledder Craig Pickering....
http://craigpickering.com/2016/03/sharapova/