MISSION VIEJO, California, August 2. IN a bit of a tune-up before the U.S. Open next weekend, Jessica Hardy returned from her doping suspension today at the Mission Viejo JOs.
Fighting off a minor back injury, Hardy returned to the water for the first time since being suspended for a positive test for clenbuterol last summer that cost her a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster.
Hardy, swimming for Trojan Swim Club, clocked a 56.67 in the women's 100 free over long course meters.
Hardy is still awaiting word on the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal of her suspension reduction this past spring. The American Arbitration Association ruled earlier this year that Hardy's positive test came from a contaminated supplement provided by AdvoCare. WADA is contesting this reduction. AdvoCare and Hardy have pending lawsuits to decide whether the ruling of contaminated supplement has legal bearing.
Initial information has these court cases beginning in October or November of this year. Until another ruling is made, Hardy is free to swim.
OCRegister Video Interview With Jessica Hardy