Putin defends Sharapova in banned substance scandal

The Russian president said meldonium - the substance Sharapova and many other Russian athletes tested positive for this year - is not a stimulant.

At least 172 athletes have tested positive for meldonium since the Latvian drug was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s banned list. Maria Sharapova is the most notable name.

"It has never been considered doping. It does not affect sports results. That's for sure. It just keeps the heart muscle in good condition during high-intensity work," Putin said during his annual online dialogue with people across Russia.

Putin does not think meldonium is doping. Photo: Reuters.

Putin does not think the authorities were targeting Russia when they banned meldonium, and he criticized WADA for not conducting studies earlier to determine the drug’s duration of action.

“There is no accurate data,” Putin said. WADA also announced earlier that the organization was considering acquitting some athletes who tested positive for meldonium because there was insufficient scientific evidence about the drug’s duration of effect.

Many athletes complained that they used meldonium when it was not banned yet but still tested positive.

Sharapova hopes to escape the ban due to WADA's lack of scientific basis on meldonium. Photo: Reuters.

Asked by head coach Yuri Borzakovsky about Russia's chances of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics, Putin appeared confident. "Athletes are obviously in a difficult situation, but you must be ready for anything, like me, when asked about any issue. Of course, we will fight for justice. The Russian Sports Ministry, sports organizations are working with the best lawyers in the world on this issue and are looking into all its aspects," he said.

According to VNE