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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Russian President Defends Sharapova, Says Meldonium 'Never Considered As Doping'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has "waded into the debate over meldonium," and said that the banned substance "should not be considered a performance-enhancing drug," according to the London TELEGRAPH. There have been at least 172 failed drug tests for meldonium worldwide "since the Latvian-made heart-drug was banned" in '16. Russian athletes -- including Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova -- "make up the largest contingent of those who have tested positive." Putin said, "This substance was never considered as doping. It doesn't influence the result. That's totally certain. It just keeps the heart muscles in good condition under high load." The company which makes meldonium has "marketed it as improving energy levels in heart patients, while its inventor has previously said it increased the endurance of Soviet troops." While Putin said he "did not think authorities were targeting Russia in the decision to ban meldonium," he criticized the World Anti-Doping Agency for "not carrying out research earlier on how long the drug takes to leave the body." He said, "There was no proper data." Some athletes said that they stopped taking meldonium before it was banned but have "still tested positive," and WADA admitted on Wednesday that athletes in that position "could avoid sanctions if that argument is backed up by data showing a low concentration of the substance in their sample" (TELEGRAPH, 4/14). REUTERS' Simon Jennings reported the Int'l Tennis Federation said that Sharapova "still faces a hearing after testing positive for meldonium," despite WADA issuing "fresh rules for athletes who tested positive for the banned substance before March 1." ITF: "In light of the recent notice from WADA regarding the process for dealing with cases involving meldonium, the ITF can confirm that the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme case involving Maria Sharapova will proceed to a hearing in accordance with WADA's recommendations. The ITF does not intend to make any further statement until completion of this process due to the confidentiality of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme" (REUTERS, 4/14).

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