What is Meldonium and what is it used for? Premier League star tests positive for banned substance
Chelsea’s Ukrainian player Mikhailo Mudryk failed an anti-doping test, after taking the drug that had already caused problems for Maria Sharapova.
The career of Mykhailo Mudryk is making headlines again, this time due to an off-field controversy after testing positive in an anti-doping test conducted in October. According to The Telegraph, the Ukrainian winger failed the test after traces of the Soviet-era medication Meldonium were detected, potentially leading to a lengthy suspension.
What is Meldonium?
Meldonium was developed in Latvia during the 1970s to treat heart conditions and became widely used in Eastern Europe, where it remains available over the counter at an affordable price. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the drug is commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as low blood flow to the heart and angina. In sports, it is known to boost endurance and physical recovery.
In 2014, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) detected Meldonium in the urine of numerous athletes, leading to its inclusion on the prohibited substances list in 2016. That same year, the drug rocked the sports world when Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive for Meldonium. Sharapova admitted to using the drug for its benefits and was handed a two-year suspension by the International Tennis Federation.
Mudryk now faces a similar situation, with reports suggesting a possible four-year ban.
Mudryk’s situation at Chelsea
According to The Times, Mudryk, who signed for Chelsea, has already been provisionally suspended after being notified of his failed anti-doping test by the Football Association. For his part, the Ukrainian winger has denied deliberately taking prohibited substances.
This scandal casts a shadow over Mudryk’s future, complicating matters for the young star at a critical point in his career.
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