World Anti-Doping Agency says 172 meldonium doping failures since Jan 1

Sport360 staff 19:59 13/04/2016
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  • Maria Sharapova was found to have taken meldonium.

    The agency did not give a national breakdown, but many have involved Russia which has been suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations and risks missing the Rio Olympics athletics.

    “WADA can confirm there have been 172 Adverse Analytical Findings (positives) for meldonium since it was banned on 1st January 2016,” said a WADA announcement on its Twitter account.

    Meldonium increases blood flow and so helps athletes increase their performance. It used to treat heart disease and diabetes.

    Tennis star Maria Sharapova is among Russian athletes to have tested positive for the Latvian-made drug.

    Following the announcement Sharapova’s lawyer slammed WADA’s handling of the ban.

    Tennis star Sharapova is the highest-profile athlete to have tested positive and is serving a provisional suspension ahead of a hearing that will determine what sanction she faces.

    Considering the Russian admitted when announcing her failed test that she did not know meldonium had been added to the banned list, it is doubtful whether WADA’s change of guidance will affect her case.

    But, her management company released a statement on its Facebook page from Sharapova’s lawyer John Haggerty.

    Russian swimmer Yuliya Efimova, Swedish runner Abeba Aregawi and Russian Olympic speed-skating champion Semion Elistratov are among the other athletes to have failed tests.

    WADA president Sir Craig Reedie called the flurry of positive meldonium tests “an unprecedented situation” but stressed the principle of strict liability, where an athlete is wholly responsible for what is in their body, remains.

    Reedie said: “There is no doubt as to the status of meldonium as a prohibited substance.

    “There is equally no doubt that the principle of strict liability under the (World Anti-Doping) Code, as well as the well-established process for results management and adjudication, prevails.

    “Since meldonium was prohibited on 1 January of this year, there have been 172 positive samples for the substance, for athletes across numerous countries and sports.

    “Concurrently, there has been a call by stakeholders for further clarification and guidance.

    “WADA recognises this need – that meldonium is a particular substance, which has created an unprecedented situation, and therefore warranted additional guidance for the anti-doping community.”

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