UN Suspends Russian Tennis Player Sharapova as Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations suspended Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova's role as a goodwill ambassador and any planned activities while the investigation on use of doping continues, according to media.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The United Nations has suspended Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova as a goodwill ambassador amid the unraveling scandal over her confession about testing positive for a banned substance, a UK newspaper reported Tuesday.

Last week, Sharapova, who is a five-time Grand Slam champion, announced that she had tested positive for meldonium, which was added to the list of banned substances on January 1, 2016, by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA). She said her family doctor began issuing the substance, also known as mildronate, in 2006 because of the health problems she had.

“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,” The Guardian newspaper quoted a UN Development Programme spokesperson as saying.

Sharapova was appointed a UN Development Programmes goodwill ambassador in February 2007, mostly focusing on efforts to help survivors of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Automobile company Porsche, as well as sportswear giant Nike and Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer, put their sponsorship deals with Sharapova on hold following her admission of a failed drug test.