Skip to Content

Jessica Hardy, Olympic bound swimmer, has tested positive for a banned substance just two weeks before the Beijing Games. The 21 year old from Long Beach, California has left the Palo Alto training facility and returned to her home on Wednesday night while her case is reviewed.

According to officials, Hardy’s ‘A’ test sample from the U.S. Olympic trials tested positive for a banned stimulant. Her backup ‘B’ sample also reportedly tested positive. If the allegation sticks, the athlete would be banned from the sport for two years on a first offense.

The swimmers agent Evan Morgenstein reports that there are conflicting results. He spoke to her on the phone and reported that she told him, ” I never did anything wrong. I never cheated. He said:

“I am very concerned about the confusion of her test coming up positive, negative, positive. She’s the one person I would never believe would do anything – anything – to cheat. Ever.”

Hardy must now pursue an appeal – just 14 days before the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If she is not reinstated, an swimming alternate will not be able to take her place at the games because the roster deadline was July 21st. Her events are the 50 meter, the 100 meter breast stroke and the 400 free relay.

She currently holds the world record for the 50 meter breast stroke with a time of 29.58 seconds, set on April 12, 2008 during the 2008 FINA Short Course World Championships.

Check out more photos below.


Source