Sharapova Shock

[-SharonA-]

She has failed a drug test. I am so surprised, she who projects a squeaky clean image.

She reckons she has diabetes and her medication was banned as of 1st January.

[-SharonA-]

I bet her medical advisors are scrambling around trying to concoct several reasons why she needed to take this drug and for so long!

[agchristie]

Let's not forget that despite taking the substance (not daily) over the last ten years it was not illicit until this year.

It doesn't excuse her now but confirms that she was not guilty in the past.

[jno]

I share Jim's feelings. Continuing with a drug you've been legitimately taking for years doesn't seem in the Lance Armstrong league.

[Cloverjo]

It's not looking good for her now. According to The Times, she was warned 5 times that her medication was to go on the banned list.

[Hopkirk]

The plot thickens!

[agchristie]

She could appeal for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE). A TUE allows a player to use a banned substance, without committing an anti-doping rule violation, if they have a medical condition that requires it.

[Neveracrossword]

Agchristie, warnings were given by Wada, the drug body, in October that athletes who needed the drug had plenty of time to seek a TUE. Sharapova appears to have little grounds - to apply for a retrospective TUE - as there was no emergency use and no exceptional circumstances.

[agchristie]

Neveracrossword> Sharapova appears to have little grounds -to apply for a retrospective TUE - as there was no emergency use and no exceptional circumstances.

If there is such an application there will be meticulous examination of the medical evidence and so there should be.

If she is found guilty it will be interesting if the Troiki and Cilic cases are used as precedents in the length of any ban.

[Neveracrossword]

I think I, and many many others, are struggling to see what could constitute 'exceptional circumstances' or 'medical emergency' in this case.

[DTCwordfan]

thanks Sharon, for BA - that's just taken me to 250......

[Sqad]

^^^ That's fantastic DTC.....congratulations.

[DTCwordfan]

that is, sqad....so touching. Ta.

[Bazile]

The former head of WADA was on BBC breakfast this morning .

He said ( not quoting him word for word ) that before the Wimbledon centre court had a roof - when it rained ,they used to put on screen past matches of the likes of Connors and others , who use to trundle ( trundle was not the word he used , i can't remember the exact word ) - whereas now you have players sprinting across court for 3 , 4 hours .

The inference he was making i beleive , is that these players nowadays must be on something to maintain that level of stamina

[-SharonA-]

No problem DTC!!

[Cloverjo]

I don't think so Bazile. I didn't watch the program you refer to. I think the players nowadays are supremely fit. The game has changed.

[-SharonA-]

I can remember Andy Murray talking about his fitness regime and it is vigorous.
Weights, running, cycling etc at least three times a day!!

[bhg481]

Tennis players didn't use to have fitness coaches; I don't even remember them having personal playing coaches as they do now. I think the whole game has moved on so it's difficult to compare present-day players with those decades ago. Remember also that most players played singles and doubles years ago; very few do that now.

[Bazile]

Well , he thought that there is more of a problem in the game than is being acknowleged by the sport governing bodies .

[agchristie]

Neveracrossword > I think I, and many many others, are struggling to see what could constitute 'exceptional circumstances' or 'medical emergency' in this case.

Sharapova's lawyer seems fairly bullish stating that there are a 'laundry of mitigating factors'....

[Hopkirk]

As Mandy Rice Davies might say "well they would, wouldn't they"