Tennis star Maria Sharapova fails drug test

Tennis star Maria Sharapova announced Monday that she failed a drug test during January's Australian Open.

"I did fail the test, and I take full responsibility for it," Sharapova said, speaking at a news conference.

Sharapova tested positive for the substance meldonium, which she said she has been taking for personal health reasons for 10 years. The drug was just added to the list of substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency in January. 

Sharapova admitted she had received an email with information about new banned substances in December, but said, "I didn't click on that link."

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Meldonium, also known as mildronate, is a Latvian-manufactured drug popular for fighting heart disease in former Soviet Union countries. The drug also aids oxygen circulation in the blood and can increase endurance.

Several athletes have tested positive for the drug since it became illegal in January, including two Ukrainian biathletes and Russian cyclist Eduard Vorganov. Earlier Monday, Russia's Ekaterina Bobrova, a European champion ice dancer, told local media she had tested positive for meldonium.

There's no word on what punishment Sharapova could face from the International Tennis Federation, but Sharapova said, "It's my body, and I'm responsible for what I put into it."

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Sharapova's penalties could range from a multiyear ban to a minimal sanction with no suspension if officials believe she made an honest mistake.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.

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