Maria Sharapova banned from competition for 2 years

(Baonghean.vn) - On June 8, the International Tennis Federation's independent commission officially announced that Maria Sharapova was banned from tennis for 2 years due to drug-related allegations. Previously, the initial proposed penalty for Sharapova was 4 years.

Illustration: AFP.

In March, Sharapova was temporarily suspended after testing positive for meldoni at the Australian Open. The Russian doll will not be allowed to compete until January 26, 2018.

The 29-year-old athlete said she had been using a drug called mildronate, as prescribed by her doctor, since 2006 to treat health problems such as arrhythmia and a history of diabetes.

Sharapova, in a press conference in Los Angeles, confirmed that she had no idea that the two drugs were one and that meldoni was on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list until she received a letter informing her of the positive tests.

Sharapova shared on her Facebook account after receiving the penalty: "I am very sorry for disappointing my fans. I also miss tennis, a sport I have played since I was 4 years old and have a very deep affection for."

"I know that I will have to face bad results and I do not want to end my career this way. I will try to be able to return to the tennis court as soon as possible," Sharapova added.

Thanh Hien

(According to the Guardian)