Maria Sharapova and a host of other top ranking sports stars may be breathing sighs of relief with news from WADA, the world sports anti-doping
ADVERTISEMENTMaria Sharapova and a host of other top ranking sports stars may be breathing sighs of relief with news from WADA, the world sports anti-doping agency.
It admits anyone who tested positive for newly-banned meldonium before March 1 could now have their bans overturned, in time for the Rio olympics.
WADA says it is unable to establish how quickly the drug leaves the system, and that means they are unable to conclude if the drug was taken before the January 1 ban came into place.
One hundred and seventy two athletes are currently under a cheating cloud, over 20% of them Russian, and they have their route to the Olympics barred.
Stars who will currently not be on the track include the 1500 metres runner Abeba Aregawi, and Bulgaria’s triple-jumper Gabriela Petrova.