Russia hopes Sharapova will feature in Rio Olympics despite doping case

The Russian tennis federation president has expressed hope that suspended star player Maria Sharapova will be allowed to participate in the forthcoming Rio Olympics Games.

"We really hope that Sharapova will still be allowed to take part in the Olympic Games," said Shamil Tarpishchev in a statement.

Sharapova was provisionally suspended from the sport last month after revealing that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year's Australian Open, Sport24 reported.

The 2012 Olympic silver medallist said that she had been taking the drug since 2006 legally for years for health reasons.

Meldonium was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency this year.

Sharapova's major sponsors Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche have all distanced themselves from her since her announcement.

However, no date has been announced by the International Tennis Federation for a hearing into the case of Sharapova.