The AP has reported that Jessica Hardy’s suspension has been reduced from two years to one, making her eligible to return to competition after July 31^st.  Hardy, LB native and graduate of Wilson, was suspended after testing positive for the anabolic steroid clenbuterol, which is known to increase lung capacity.  After the test, she withdrew from the 2008 Beijing Olympic team (she’d qualified in two events), delaying her life-long dream of swimming for the red, white, and blue.

The reason given for the suspended suspension?  The American Arbitration Association said that a longer suspension would be, “disproportionate to the facts of the case.”  This likely lends credence to the explanation that a sponsor of Hardy’s gave her supplements she thought were legal that actually contained the banned substance.

The lack of a total revocation seems to imply that the agency considers the positive test valid—but the shortened sentence also seems to imply that they accept that Hardy’s consumption of clenbuterol was unknowing.  In any event, it will be good to see her put this chapter behind her, and start working towards swimming in London in 2012!