蜜芽传媒

The man who developed the drug Maria Sharapova failed a drugs test for using has told 5 live there will be 鈥渕any deaths鈥� on the sports field because of the recent ban.

Professor Ivars Kalvins, who developed Meldonium, said because athletes 鈥渨ill not be able to take the drug in the future鈥� their bodies will 鈥渘o longer鈥� be capable of coping with lack of oxygen to the cells during sporting events.

Professor Kalvins went on to say 鈥渟ports persons have the human right to be protected鈥� and that the drug was on the market as a protective agent for 32 years before it was put on the banned list in January this year.

The five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova is one of 60 athletes who've been suspended for using the drug in the last 10 weeks.

This clip is originally form 5 live Drive on Wednesday 9 March 2016.