Amid Maria Sharapova's doping drama, some of the tennis star'€™s sponsors have suspended ties with her, including sportswear company Nike. But the global brand may have already had a change of heart, judging from a statement from an executive reasoning that '€œat the end of the day, athletes are humans just like the rest of us'€.

'€œThey have the same frailties that the rest of us,'€ Nike brand president Trevor Edwards said. '€œAnd sometimes those moments become learning moments," he continued, speaking at an event in New York on Wednesday, as reported by Fortune.

'€œEach time those situations happen, you are saddened and disappointed. At the same time, there are many athletes that inspire us," Edwards said.

Supporting athletes who had been suspended is not new for Nike. Last year, the BBC reported that the brand had given a sponsorship deal to controversial US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who had served two doping bans including a four-year suspension from 2006-2010. Nike also stuck with Tiger Woods after he apologized for cheating on his wife, and welcomed back American football quarterback Michael Vick after he served time for operating an illegal dog-fighting ring, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier this month, Nike announced that it had decided to suspend its relationship with the world's highest-earning female athlete while the investigation continued. But it also said that it would continue to monitor the situation, suggesting that the company had indeed left the door ajar for a return.

Sharapova posted a letter to her fans on March 12 on her Facebook page four days after she admitted that she had failed a doping test at the Australian Open in January. In addition to clarifying several points that she claimed had been reported wrongly in the media and expressing her determination to fight back, the 28-year-old Russian declared she was proud of how she had played the game.

"I have been honest and upfront. I won'€™t pretend to be injured so I can hide the truth about my testing. I look forward to the ITF hearing at which time they will receive my detailed medical records. I hope I will be allowed to play again. But no matter what, I want you, my fans, to know the truth and have the facts." (kes)(+)

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