Jessica Hardy tests positive, Olympic spot in jeopardy
Jessica Hardy 21, an American breaststroke swimmer and world record holder has failed a drug test leaving her just two weeks to pursue any appeals before the Beijing Games begin.
Ms Hardy’s “A” sample from the recent U.S. Olympic trials tested positive for the banned stimulant clenbuterol. “Jessica denies that she has taken any prohibited substances,” Ms Hardy attorney Howard Jacobs said late Wednesday.
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 Evan Morgenstein said.
Mr Morgenstein told The Associated Press during a brief phone conversation with Hardy that, 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.”
Tags: American breaststroke swimmer, as monaco fc, atp masters, Beijing Games, Evan Morgenstein, Jamie Olson, jessica hardy, la gantoise, paddling pools, Southern California, swimming world
