07-03-2016, 23:25
(07-03-2016, 22:43)Lord Snooty Wrote: Called her own press conference tonight to make the announcement. Turns out it's a medication she's been taking for ten years and only got banned on the 1st of January this year. Therefore she failed the drugs test at the Aussie Open.
Genuine mistake if you ask me and the authorities should show leniancy. They won't though and she'll probably get a 12 month ban.
She's not a cheat. Footballers who dive in the penalty area are cheats. Maria Sharapova isn't. Unless of course it turns out that this is a masking agent to hide a more serious drug.
Any opinions on this?
Well the other way of looking at it is that for 10 years she's been taking a drug that's been found to be used extensively by Eastern Europeans to enhance sporting performance. It just wasn't outlawed until recently. In other words, while she wasn't cheating, her performances have been boosted by this drug for some time. Mind you, I'm sure plenty of sports figures will use every lawful method and substance they can to improve themselves.