Sharapova suspension reduced

Maria Sharapova’s drug suspension was reduced on appeal to 15 months from 24 months.  Sharapova criticized the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for not having a rigorous and reliable system in place that would keep players informed about updates on the banned substances list etc.  The ITF has not responded at length to her criticisms.  Sharapova will be back in time for the French Open next year.

This blog has discussed the banned substance issue before, so there’s no need to go over it again.  Suffice it to say that athletes have short careers, so if they are to be banned for up to four years, the ITF or any sports organization that makes such decisions needs to adhere to the following principles:

1) Drugs should not be banned unless there is clear scientific justification for doing so.

2) An airtight information apparatus should be in place to make absolutely sure players know what’s on the banned substances list and when any changes to the list are made.

            A related issue that has come up since Sharapova’s suspension relates to medical exemptions for use of banned substances.  Russian hackers cracked the database of the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) and found that several players, including Serena Williams, have been given medical exemptions that allowed them to take banned substances.  The players have done nothing wrong here, but the exemptions raise further questions about the rigorousness of rules regarding banned substances and who, if anyone, has ever really benefitted from their use. 

            Sharapova has stated that she has found her sabbatical from the game both interesting and satisfying.  What I hoped she would say is that she used the time to get rid of her grunt!  But no such luck, apparently.