The Latvian scientist who developed meldonium says some male athletes who have taken the recently banned drug have used it in order to improve sexual performance.

The drug, which is typically recommended for heart disease patients, was banned for 2016, prompting at least 172 failed tests worldwide, including Maria Sharapova.

Ivars Kalvinsin, who created the drug, says many male athletes take meldonium ''not as a sports performance enhancer but in order to improve their sexual performance.''

Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency said athletes could be cleared if only minute traces of the drug were found in their system.

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