U.S. Olympic Hopeful Tests Positive

By Beth Harris

AP Sports Writer

July 24, 2008

CBNNews.com - LOS ANGELES - Jessica Hardy's first trip to the Olympics could be over before it began. The swimmer tested positive for a banned substance, leaving her just two weeks to pursue any appeals before the Beijing Games begin.

Hardy's "A" sample from the recent US Olympic trials tested positive, a person familiar with the test results told The Associated Press on Wednesday night. The person, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said the banned substance was a stimulant but did not provide any other details.

USA Swimming spokeswoman Jamie Olson declined to comment from the team's training camp at Palo Alto, Calif., where Hardy left to return to her family's home in Southern California, the swimmer's agent said.

'I never cheated'

Agent Evan Morgenstein told the AP that during a brief phone conversation with Hardy, she told him, "I never did anything wrong. I never cheated."

Morgenstein said he heard there were conflicting results from Hardy's tests, though he didn't have any details.

"I'm very, very concerned about the confusion of her test coming up positive-negative-positive," Morgenstein said. "She's the one person I would never believe would do anything -- anything -- to cheat. Ever."

Swimming World magazine's Web site first reported the positive doping test, adding that Hardy's backup "B" sample also tested positive.

If she chooses, the 21-year-old swimmer can pursue appeals with both the American Arbitration Association and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

With just two weeks to spare, Hardy could appeal directly to CAS, whose ruling would be final and binding.

Typically, a first-time doping offense results in a two-year ban.

Slated to Compete in Three Events

Hardy earned spots on her first Olympic team in her best event, the 100-meter breaststroke, as well as the 50 freestyle and 400 free relay.

"I don't think if you had told me a month ago that I would make it in all three of these events that I would have believed you," she said at the trials. "I'm expecting good things for sure."

In Beijing, Hardy was expected to be a medal threat in the 100 breast and to play an important part on the 400 free relay -- and possibly the 400 medley relay.

Mark Schubert, head coach and general manager of the US team, and Dave Salo, Hardy's personal coach at Southern California, did not return phone messages left by the AP.

US Squad Leaves for Singapore Friday

The US squad departs Friday for a pre-Olympic training camp in Singapore.

Hardy's name was among the 596 athletes officially entered into the Beijing Games on Wednesday by the US Olympic Committee.

If Hardy appeals and loses, the US could not add to its swimming roster because the deadline to do so was July 21.

That might leave 41-year-old Dara Torres in the 50 free and Megan Jendrick in the 100 breast as the sole American entrants in those events.

It was not immediately clear if the US could move a second swimmer already on the team into those events.

2005 Time Stands as American Record

Hardy burst onto the international scene at the 2005 world championships in Montreal, where she broke the world record in the 100 breast. Her time of 1 minute, 6.20 seconds still stands as the American record.

She swam at California for two seasons, winning the 100 breast at the 2006 and 2007 NCAA championships before turning pro.

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