Other sponsors ditch Sharapova after drugs test but Head extends her contract
11/03/2016
Ms Sharapova announced on March 7 that a drugs test she did at the Australian Open in January had proved positive. She explained that a medicinal product she has taken for a number of years to combat flu and the symptoms over fears of inheriting Type 1 diabetes, meldonium, was the cause.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) put meldonium on its banned substances list on January 1, 2016, but Maria Sharapova said neither she nor any member of her support team had been aware of the change, although the authorities insist they gave all tennis athletes fair warning.
As a result, the career Grand Slam winner (one of only ten women in the history of the sport to win all four Grand Slams), was given a provisional ban from playing from March 12.
Despite the controversy and the quick reaction of other sponsors, Head issued a statement on March 11 saying it would continue to support Maria Sharapova.
The German brand’s chief executive, Johan Eliasch, said: “As a company, Head has a strict anti-doping policy. We believe the use of WADA-banned substances with the intent to enhance performance or gain unfair advantages must be sanctioned.In Maria Sharapova’s case, we have analysed the facts and circumstances in great detail in order to reach a firm conclusion about our association with her. In the absence of any evidence of any intent by Maria of enhancing her performance or trying to gain an unfair advantage, we conclude this falls into the category of honest mistakes.
“Head is proud to stand behind Maria, now and into the future, and we intend to extend her contract.”
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