Maria Sharapova on provisional Russia Olympics list despite drugs ban

Russia have made the surprise move of including Maria Sharapova in their provisional list for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The tennis star, 29, is currently suspended after failing a drug test at the Australian Open, and it had previously been reported that she may not play again.


However, Sharapova has been named on a provisional list for this summer’s games, though Russia are prepared to bring in their fifth-ranked female tennis player Daria Kasatkina if Sharapova cannot compete.

The five-time Grand Slam winner tested positive for meldonium earlier this year, adding to a long list of recent Russian doping scandals.

‘By the end of the first week of Roland Garros, the question of Sharapova’s participation at the Olympic Games should be resolved,’ the head of Russia’s tennis federation Shamil Tarpischev said.

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