Swimmer Jessica Hardy Tests Positive for Banned Substance

Swimmer Jessica Hardy may miss the 2008 Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a banned substance on Wednesday.

An anonymous source said that Hardy's "A" sample from the U.S. Olympic Trials tested positive for a stimulant, but did not give the Associated Press more details.

The Swimming World magazine Web site first reported the positive doping test. NBCOlympics.com also posted that Hardy's "B" sample also tested positive.

If the reports are accurate, Hardy, 21, can appeal to the American Arbitration Association and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. A first-time doping offense generally leads to a 2-year ban from the sport.

If she loses the appeal, she cannot participate in the Olympics, because the U.S. deadline to submit their swimming roster was July 21.

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

Hardy was expected to compete for a medal in the 100 breast, and to be an integral part on the 400 free relay, and possibly the 400 medley relay.

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

In the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, she broke the world record in the 100 breast with a time of 1 minute, 6.20 seconds, which still stands as the American record.

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