April 12--The president of the Russian tennis federation isn't letting a failed drug test alter his Olympic plans.
Shamil Tarpischev issued a statement Tuesday reiterating that Maria Sharapova might still lead his country's tennis contingent in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
"We really hope that Sharapova will still be allowed to take part in the Olympic Games," Tarpischev stated.
Sharapova was provisionally suspended last month, admitting that she had tested positive for meldonium, a heart medication recently added to the banned substance list. The star player said she had long been using the drug for medical reasons.
International tennis officials have yet to schedule a hearing in her case.
