WADA May Show Mercy on Meldonium Dopers

Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

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Facing backlash from people calling meldonium positive tests a “trap drug,” the World Anti-Doping Agency released a statement saying that it could have mercy on some athletes testing positive for meldonium.

This is due to the large amount of appeals on meldonium positive tests that state that it is unknown exactly how long the drug can stay in someone’s system.

WADA has now said that “provisional suspensions can be lifted if it is determined that an athlete took meldonium before it was placed on the list of banned substances on Jan. 1.”

This would be for athletes who tested positive for less than 1 microgram of meldonium prior to March 1.

Since meldonium has been placed on the banned list this year, 172 positive tests have occurred, including Russian swimming star Yuliya Efimova as well as Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova.

WADA can confirm there have been 172 Adverse Analytical Findings (positives) for Meldonium since it was banned on 1st January 2016 #WADA

— WADA (@wada_ama) April 13, 2016

Since Efimova is under her second positive test, she may not wind up with any leniency.

Full Associate Press article.

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7 Comments

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Steve Jenkins

8 years ago

Ridiculous!

Michele Dantas

8 years ago

This drug is for a very specific medical use to aid in heart conditions. Any athlete taking it to enhance oxygen uptake was doping whether it was on the banned list or not. Don’t back down. The intent of these athletes was to gain advantage using medicine whether banned or not, which is not what we want our athletes to do. It’s time to send a strong message and clean up sports.

Katinka Brown-Muizelaar

8 years ago

Reply to Michele Dantas

I totally agree.

Katinka Brown-Muizelaar

8 years ago

Reply to Michele Dantas

I totally agree.

Katinka Brown-Muizelaar

8 years ago

Reply to Michele Dantas

I totally agree.

Tammy Lee

8 years ago

If someone tests positive in March, they’re still using the drug. But for the ones who tested positive in January, after the ban went into effect on January 1, should not be allowed to compete and tested weekly until the drug is out of their system. Each test should show less of the drug in their system.

Askar Amirkhanov

8 years ago

Ну что за люди. Пусть плывут. Сказали же все жрут подобное