Sharapova plans 2008 Chernobyl visit
Nothing is definite yet, but it looks like Maria is planning to check out her family roots by visiting the Chernobyl region.
Sharapova plans to visit Chernobyl as a United Nations goodwill ambassador, perhaps after Wimbledon next July.
“It’s in the beginning stages of what exactly I’m going to be doing,” she said. “But I want to visit the facilities that they’re building right now for the children — computer labs and hospitals.”
The area doesn’t get much news attention now, but many books cover some different aspects of the post-disaster region. Much of the abandoned towns have been reclaimed by nature, with some rarely seen animal species flourishing. However, the children of the area are still showing signs of radiation damage - birth defects and mental retardation are still issues.