News [20101.5.21 Universal Sports] High court rules in Hardy's favor

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High court rules in Hardy's favor

High court rules in Hardy's favor

U.S. swimmer Jessica Hardy has won what had to be the longest and most grueling race of her life. Now she hopes to begin her march to the 2012 Olympics.

 

 

Jessica Hardy has won what had to be the longest and most grueling race of her life.

The U.S. swimmer, who failed a drug test during the 2008 Olympic Trials and was subsequently banned from the sport for a year, returned to competition late last summer. But the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to have the ban extended for another year.

On Friday, it was announced that the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland decided to reject the WADA's effort to lengthen Hardy's suspension. There was no word on whether she will be allowed to compete at the London Olympics in 2012; that decision will come from the International Olympic Committee.

For Hardy, this is a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. After the drug test she took during the 2008 Trials showed levels of the steroid clenbuterol in her system, Hardy lost her spot on the Olympic team in the 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and the 400m freestyle relay. Her trip to the Olympics was over before she ever stepped foot on an airplane bound for Beijing.

"I started crying, hysterically, and didn't stop for 48 hours," Hardy recalled last year.

Hardy returned to competition at the 2009 U.S. Open last August and showed no effects of the year-long layoff, winning two races (one was a world record) and placing second in another. And then on the FINA World Cup, a five-meet fall circuit, Hardy broke four world records, won eight races and was crowned the overall series leader -- a title that came with a $100,000 check.

Friday's ruling by the CAS means Hardy will keep the world records she owns in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, as well as the 50m short course breaststroke. She can also keep the $100,000 World Cup prize.

"I am extremely happy to put this case behind me, and to start looking forward," Hardy said in a statement. "When I returned to competition last summer, under the stress of WADA's appeal, I proved that my prior successes, including at the Olympic trials, were achieved solely through hard work and discipline, with no shortcuts."

The court ruled that Hardy was not aware there was a banned substance in Arginine Extreme, a supplement she was taking at the time of the failed test.

"She had made the research and investigation which could reasonably be expected from an informed athlete wishing to avoid risks connected to the use of food supplements," said the court, as reported by the Associated Press. "The supplements she took were not labeled in a manner which might have raised suspicions."

Hardy has not said when she will swim next. There are two USA Swimming Grand Prix meets coming up, followed by the U.S. and Pan Pacific Championships in August.