Nike stands by Maria Sharapova despite tennis star’s 2-year drugs ban
Despite the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tribunal handing Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova a two-year ban from the sport for failing a drugs test, Sportswear giant Nike have decided to stand by her and have renewed their deal with Sharapova. An ITF statement yesterday concluded Sharapova didn't intentionally violate doping regulations by taking meldonium - the illegal drug she tested positive for - and Nike used that as their justification to resume their sponsorship deal with Sharapova, which they suspended in March when news of her failed drugs test emerged
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