Maria Sharapova has been suspended as a goodwill ambassador by the United Nations after the former world number one admitted she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year's Australian Open.
The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), for which the
five-times grand slam winner became a goodwill ambassador in February
2007, suspended the Russian until the outcome of the investigation into
her case is known.
"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," the
UNDP told Reuters in an emailed statement.
Sharapova's work with the U.N. focused mainly on helping
survivors of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, but links to her profile on
the U.N.'s official website (www.un.org) were not working on Tuesday.
"The United Nations Development Programme remains grateful
to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the
Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery," the statement added.
Sharapova, the highest-paid woman in world sport, has been
losing sponsors ever since she announced the failed test at a press
conference on March 7. Nike, the world's largest sportswear maker, Swiss
watchmaker TAG Heuer and German luxury car maker Porsche have suspended
their ties with her.
The 28-year-old faces a ban of up to four years pending the
outcome of an investigation by the International Tennis Federation. [yahoo sports]
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