The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will proceed ahead with a hearing with Maria Sharapova despite a recent change in anti-doping policy regarding Meldonium.
On Wednesday the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that banned athletes could be allowed to return to the sport if they had less than 1 mcg of meldonium in their doping tests carried out before March 1, 2016. The decision came after the makers of the drug, Grindeks, stated that it could take some time for the substance to leave a person’s body.
The latest ruling could give hope to Sharapova, who has been suspended from competition after testing positive for Meldonium. Due to the confidentiality of the case, it is currently unknown as to how much of the substance was detected in her failed drugs test. Following the announcement, the ITF has now confirmed that Sharapova will still need to attend a hearing with them.
“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 said in a press release.
Yesterday’s announcement has triggered fierce criticism for Sharapova’s lawyer, John Haggerty. Haggerty has accused the WADA of incompetence regarding their suspension of Meldonium. Some has questioned the justification for banning the substance and how much of a significant impact it has on a person’s performance.
“The fact that WADA felt compelled to issue this unusual statement now is proof of how poorly they handled issues relating to meldonium in 2015,” he said.
“Given the fact that scores of athletes have tested positive for taking what previously was a legal product, it’s clear WADA did not handle this properly last year and they’re trying to make up for it now”.
Despite the ongoing criticism, WADA has stood by their decision to ban the drug. An official of the organization, Ben Nichols, told ubitennis.net that the substance was being intentionally used to enhanced players’ performances, justifying the banning of it.
“Following the extensive consultation, it was determined that Meldonium was being used by athletes with the intent of enhancing performance, and the substance was subsequently added to the 2016 Prohibited List,” Nichols told ubitennis.net.
The date of Sharapova’s hearing with the ITF is currently unknown.
