Tennis player Maria Sharapova "will be reinstated" as a UN Development Programme goodwill ambassador when her suspension ends next April, and her "readmission to the UN fold is likely to accelerate her rehabilitation further," according to Les Roopanarine of the GUARDIAN. The UN "discontinued its nine-year relationship" with Sharapova in March after she "admitted taking the prohibited substance meldonium." However, her suspension was reduced to 15 months, and Sharapova was "swift to re-enter the public arena." Several major sponsors who "put promotional deals on hold when Sharapova was initially suspended have since resumed relations with her, Nike and Evian among them." UN goodwill ambassadors are "appointed on the basis that they are 'persons of integrity' who 'possess the personality and dignity required for such high-level representative capacity'" (GUARDIAN, 11/10). WTA CEO Steve Simon said he is "looking forward" to seeing Sharapova back on the circuit once she has served her ban. Simon: "I believe that the game, the fans, the tour ... everybody is going to welcome Maria back." Simon spoke of his "admiration for the way Sharapova has conducted herself since receiving the ban." He said, "Maria owed up to everything she did. We wish all athletes and people would owned up to what they do and take responsibility for their actions" (CNN.com, 11/9).
