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.
A Nike statement said: “The ITF tribunal has
found that Maria did not intentionally break its
rules. Maria has always made her position
clear, has apologised for her mistake and is
now appealing the length of the ban.
“Based on the decision of the ITF and their
factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on
court and will continue to partner with her.”
Sports equipment manufacturer Head, who
provide Sharapova's rackets, have also decided
to stand by the 29-year-old.
Sharapova confirmed on Facebook that she will
contest her ban.
She wrote: “Today with their decision of a two
year suspension, the ITF tribunal unanimously
concluded that what I did was not intentional.
The tribunal found that I did not seek treatment
from my doctor for the purpose of obtaining a
performance enhancing substance.