Dope: UN suspends Sharapova

Maria Sharapova’s failed drugs admission has prompted the United Nations to suspend the Russian from working with the organisation.

Worth an estimated $195 million, Sharapova will be unable to continue her work as a goodwill ambassador with the U.N. Development Programme until the conclusion of the investigation into her admission that she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open in January.



“The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery,” said a UNDP spokesperson.

“However, 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 28-year-old, who was paid a symbolic $1 salary in her role, said at the time that it was one of her “proudest contracts ever.”
According to U.N. guidelines, goodwill ambassadors are “persons of integrity” who “possess the personality and dignity required for such high-level representative capacity.”

Sharapova appears to have contravened article 28 of Guidelines for the designation of Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace, which states that the arrangement will be re-examined if the ambassador “engages in any activity incompatible with his/her status or with the purposes and principles of the U.N., or if the termination is in the interest of the organisation.”