When it was announced that Jessica Hardy, an Olympic swimmer from Long Beach, had tested positive for Clenbuterol, a banned substance that increases lung capacity, the overwhelming reaction from her hometown was shock and disbelief.  Hardy has a very good local reputation, and no other USA Team Swimmer had ever tested positive for a banned substance pre-Olympics, after all.  After the dust settled around the usual scenes—Hardy denied completely, her personal coach said it must have been accidental, Hardy’s lawyer called the tests into question and vowed to fight it, and the USA Team said they were supportive but offered no comment—the biggest question was: what next?  With the Olympics so close, Long Beach wondered if Hardy—presuming her innocence—would even have time to launch an appeal to get her out of hot water in time to compete in Beijing.

Well, Hardy answered that question Friday, August 1st by officially withdrawing from the US Team.  No matter what happens in the future to exonerate or incriminate her, one thing is now certain: she will not be swimming in China.  The decision is part of an agreement reached between Hardy and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, through the American Arbitration Association.  Hardy is no longer contesting the laboratory findings, but she and her defense team appear to still maintain a claim of innocence.  To that end, the USADA has granted her additional appeal time.

What does that mean?  Good question—basically, any positive test comes with a mandatory two-year period of ineligibility.  The extra appeal time, while it won’t affect this Olympics, will allow Hardy and her team to put together a case for her innocence, that could overturn the two-year suspension.  We will, of course, update you on the status of those appeals as they progress, most likely after the completion of the Olympics.

Hardy’s withdrawal also allows the US team to move forward in replacing her in the events she was schedule to compete in.  Rebecca Soni, a USC teammate, will take her breaststroke duties while Kara Lynn Joyce will take the 50 free, it appears.  

This article contains reporting from the Associated Press.