SAN FRANCISCO, March 16, (THEWILL) – Following her confessions to using Meldonium, a banned substance, and failing a drug test at the Australian Open, the United Nations has suspended Maria Sharapova as a goodwill ambassador.
This comes after the Russian tennis star lost her endorsement deals with Nike, Tag Heuer, and Porsche.
Sharapova who remains the world’s highest paid female athlete, had been a goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Programme since 2007, and had been active in helping recovery efforts after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
“The United Nations Development Programme remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery,” said a 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.”
“We wish Ms. Sharapova the best,” she added.
Meanwhile, 5-time grand slam winner on Saturday, took to her Facebook page where she wrote, “determined to fight back.”
The ban could be reduced to two years or less if anti-doping officials find Sharapova did not intentionally take the drug to enhance performance.
