Maria Sharapova's defence for using the banned drug Meldonium is that she was prescribed it for magnesium deficiencies, a heart murmur and a family history of diabetes. She claims to have taken it on and off for 10 years before it came to be placed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited substance list.

Despite being advised of its impending ban in September 2015, Sharapova claims she failed to read the email, the Grand Slam star continued to use it past the January 1 cut-off date, leading to a positive test at the Australian Open that same month.

While it is plausible that Sharapova did indeed miss a World Anti-Doping Agency memo - an athlete of her profile might be expected to be tested at Grand Slam events and would have at least temporarily halted the program or declared a medical condition in a Therapeutic Use Exemption certificate - her reasons for taking Meldonium for all those years have been treated with suspicion.

By happy coincidence the drug prescribed by Sharapova's family physician has plenty of ‘off label’ uses for athletes, thanks to its ability to help oxygen uptake and quicken recovery from fatigue and injury. The scores of sportsmen and women with no proven heart problems who have tested positive since its banning by Wada goes a long way to confirming that suspicion.

Russia has a particular problem with this drug, to which Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko readily admitted after a speed skater and rugby player joined 'Masha' in falling foul of the recent ban.

At least her racquet sponsor Head decided to stand behind her (pun intended) and extend her contract unlike Tag Heur, Nike and Porsche

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-1...-doubt/7238504