Maria Sharapova Suspended By United Nations Following Drug Use Controversy
Following the cancellation of some of her business relationships with companies such as Nike and Porsche, Maria Sharapova continues to suffer the consequences of her failed drug test. Now, the United Nations has announced that it has suspended Sharapova's role as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program.
"The UNDP remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery," said a UN spokesperson. "However, in light of Ms. Sharapova's recent announcement, we last week suspended her role as a goodwill ambassador and any planned activities while the investigation continues."
The 28-year-old Russian tennis star has worked with the UNDP for nearly a decade, helping the program in its goal to eradicate inequality and poverty. Much of Sharapova's work for the UN is focused on helping the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
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The professional tennis player's family was living in the city of Gomel, just 80 miles north of Chernobyl, when the catastrophic nuclear accident occurred, forcing them to flee to Siberia over fears of radiation. Sharapova was only a year old at the time.
The former No. 1 female tennis player was paid a symbolic $1 for her role as a goodwill ambassador. In 2007, upon her appointment to the post, she donated $100,0000 to young survivors of the Chernobyl disaster. According to the UN News Centre, Sharapova called her ambassadorship one of her "proudest contracts ever."
On January 26, the tennis plater tested positive to the banned substance meldonium after losing to Serena Williams at the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Meldonium had only been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency on January 1, after a year-long investigation into its use as a performance-enhancing drug.
On March 2, Sharapova was charged with an anti-doping violation. Her provisional suspension began on March 12.
According to Sharapova, she had been taking the drug under one of its labels, Mildronate, for almost a decade following advice from a family doctor that it will treat her irregular heartbeat and prevent the onset of diabetes.
Meldonium is commonly used to treat angina in the elderly.
