Really informative. Thank you. Responses, like The Spin’s is not uncommon. “Well then why were so many athletes taking it then?” I think there are two things that also have to be considered.

1. How mildronate is seen in Eastern European countries. Us in western countries were introduced to it when Sharapova made her announcement and we all went to wikipedia to figure out what it was. Heart medication. Without digging any deeper, that would raise some alarms. But considering the mildronate is advertized for a wide variety of uses in Russia and is available over the counter, it would not be far fetched to believe athletes treated this like more of a supplement.
2. There are variety of substances out there that we have no proof do what they are meant to do. Some have proof that they do nothing at all. Yet people will swear by these substances or methods. Cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers, various supplements that are on the market, etc.