UN suspends Sharapova as goodwill ambassador

  16 March 2016    Read: 2033
UN suspends Sharapova as goodwill ambassador
Former tennis world number one Maria Sharapova has been suspended as a goodwill ambassador by the United Nations after admitting she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year`s Australian Open, Reuters reported.
The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), which Sharapova became a goodwill ambassador of in February 2007, suspended the Russian until the outcome of the investigation into her case is known.

Sharapova`s work with the U.N. focused mainly on helping survivors of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, but links to her profile on the U.N.`s official website were not working on Tuesday.

"The UNDP remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery," Britain`s Guardian newspaper quoted a U.N. spokesperson as saying.

"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."

The UNDP did not immediately respond to phone and email requests by Reuters asking for confirmation of the news.

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