Hitler finds out about Maria Sharapova's grunting

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Maria Sharapova banned from tennis for 2 years...

Sharapova banned for two years by ITF
Wed Jun 8, 2016 - The career of Russian former world number one Maria Sharapova was in tatters on Wednesday after she was given a two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) following her positive test for the banned drug meldonium.

In a statement the ITF said the five-times grand slam champion's ban would be backdated to Jan. 26 this year, meaning her results and prize money from the Australian Open, where she reached the quarter-finals, would be canceled out. Sharapova, 29, said she would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), describing the punishment as "unfairly harsh". She said an independent tribunal in London on May 18-19 had found that she had not intentionally violated anti-doping rules.

Maria Sharapova of Russia speaks during a news conference at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia​

A 33-page report of the tribunal's findings said: "The ITF accepts that the player did not engage in conduct that she knew constituted an antidoping rule violation," but it rejected her assertion that there was no "significant" fault on her part. "She was the sole author of her own misfortune," it said. On its website, the ITF said the ban, which could have been as long as four years, had been backdated due to Sharapova's "prompt admission" of taking the substance, and would end on midnight of Jan. 25, 2018. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) later issued a short statement saying it would review the decision before deciding whether to use its independent right of appeal to CAS.

Sharapova has regularly battled back from serious injuries during her glittering career but the two-year ban means she will not be eligible to play until after the 2018 Australian Open when she will be 30, and raises the question of whether she will ever play again. "If it stands, then I think it will be difficult for her to come back at the same level," the president of the Russian Tennis Federation, Shamil Tarpishchev, told TASS news agency, calling for the penalty to be reduced.

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Nike to continue Sharapova sponsorship
Thu, 09 Jun 2016 - The sports firm Nike will continue to sponsor Maria Sharapova, while racket firm Head says the decision to ban her was based on a "flawed process".

The racket manufacturer Head also said it would stand by her, arguing that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) had made the decision based on a "flawed process". The Russian tennis player tested positive for the prohibited drug meldonium earlier this year. She is appealing against the ban. Following Sharapova's admission in March that she had tested positive for meldonium, a heart disease drug which has only been a banned substance since 1 January 2016, Nike had initially suspended its relationship with her, saying it would monitor the investigation.

But on Wednesday the company said: "The ITF Tribunal has found that Maria did not intentionally break its rules. "Maria has always made her position clear, has apologised for her mistake and is now appealing the length of the ban. "Based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her."

'Flawed decision'

Head has supported Sharapova throughout and issued a strongly-worded statement. It said the decision to ban meldonium was not based upon "extensive clinical testing" and that it was "evident that WADA [the World Anti-Doping Agency] banned meldonium based upon the amount of athletes using meldonium rather than any scientific evidence". "We believe, based on the facts and circumstances provided to us, that this is a flawed decision. HEAD will continue to stand by Miss Sharapova," the statement from its chairman Johan Eliasch said. Her other sponsors have yet to respond to the ITF tribunal ruling. In March, Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer cut its ties with her and the carmaker Porsche said it was "postponing planned activities".

'Unfairly harsh'

Maria Sharapova's relationship with Nike dates back to when she was 11 years old. In 2010, she signed a new eight-year contract with the US sportswear giant worth $70m (£49m) as well as a cut on sales of her own branded clothes. Forbes estimates that she earned £21.9m last year, with only her rival Serena Williams earning more amongst female athletes. However, it predicts her earnings are going to plummet over the next 12 months.

The five-time Grand Slam champion said she had been taking meldonium since 2006 for health issues but said she did not realise it had been added to the banned list as she knew it by another name - mildronate. She said that, since the tribunal had concluded that her offence was "unintentional" that she thought the ban was "unfairly harsh" and would therefore appeal.

Maria Sharapova: Nike to continue sponsorship despite test failure - BBC News

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Maria Sharapova: What is meldonium & will its use be widespread?
8 Mar.`16 - Meldonium was barely on the radar until five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova revealed she recorded a positive drugs test for the substance.

The Russian, 28, has been taking the drug since 2006 for health issues. But it was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) on 1 January and the former world number one has been provisionally suspended from 12 March and could eventually be hit with a four-year ban. It appears a lot of athletes take meldonium, but what exactly is it, where does it come from, will we be hearing a lot more about it now and how easy is it to get hold of?

What is meldonium?

Meldonium - also known as mildronate - is a drug designed to treat ischemia, a condition where there is a reduction in blood supply to body tissue. It is also said to have benefits for diabetes sufferers. According to Dr Tom Bassindale, a lecturer in forensic science at Sheffield Hallam University, it was developed in Latvia and approved in the early 2000s to treat diabetes and various heart-related diseases. Dr Bassindale says it has the ability to adjust the body's use of energy, stimulating glucose metabolism and also helping to clear fatty build-up in the arteries.

Why would an athlete benefit from it?

The ability to increase oxygen movement to muscles means meldonium could have a positive effect on stamina and endurance. Dr Bassindale said: "It's advertised as giving a mental focus, removing external stress so you feel sharper. There is a slight central nervous system effect, like with stimulants such as caffeine, which gives you a sharper edge. "But it will aid recovery quicker from a hard effort, whether that's playing multiple games of tennis or a cyclist coming back the next day for another stage. There is also an endurance effect."

Can I buy it legally?