Maria was warned five times over illegal drug
MARIA Sharapova was warned five times before she failed a drug test that a substance she had taken for 10 years was being banned.
Maria Sharapova at the press conference where she announced she had failed a doping test
Officials confirmed a string of documents and reminders were sent to the Russian tennis star last December.
The revelation came as Dick Pound, former chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said Sharapova, pictured right in Los Angeles this week, has been “reckless beyond description” and only had herself to blame.
Sharapova could be banned for four years and may lose sponsorship worth £100million
The Russian has already lost sponsorship from Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche
Sharapova, 28, could be banned for four years – and lose £100million in sponsorship deals – after testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open. She said she missed an email explaining the medication was banned from January 1.
This is a woman who won Wimbledon 12 years ago, she is in a sport known to have drug problems
But Mr Pound said: “This is a woman who won Wimbledon 12 years ago, she is in a sport known to have drug problems, she knows she is going to be tested. Of course she should have known.”
He said players were first alerted to changes in September. Sharapova said she was prescribed meldonium – now known to enhance performance and recovery – for issues including an irregular heartbeat and diabetes in her family.
She has been axed by sponsors including Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche
Former WADA head: Sharapova has no excuse for positive test
The 28-year-old was prescribed meldonium for issues such as an irregular heart beat