Swimming: London Olympics: Jessica Hardy cleared to compete

Lindy Rumer April 29, 2011 1

Swimming: London Olympics: Jessica Hardy cleared to compete

NEW YORK: The attorney of Jessica Hardy, the United States swimmer, said in a statement on Thursday that the world record holder has been cleared to compete at the London Olympics 2012.

Jessica Hardy. Courtesy: Getty Images

Howard Jacobs said in a statement that if Jessica Hardy manages to get herself selected in the United States team then she can certainly compete at the London Olympics.

Jessica Hardy was a doubt for participation in the 2012 London Olympics after a disputed doping sanction but now clouds of doubts have gone away as a special approval has been awarded to her by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Jessica Hardy

Jacob said, “This clears the way for Jessica Hardy to compete at the 2012 US Olympic Trials, and assuming that she qualifies, to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London”.

Jacobs has come up with the announcement just a day after the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee had urged the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday to make an absolute ruling on an eligibility rule that could stay in the way of many athletes to take part in the London Olympics.

Jessica Hardy

The IOC Rule 45 bars any athlete receiving a doping sanction of greater than six months from taking part in the coming Olympic Games and the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been asked to judge this rule’s validity.

Jessica Hardy has served a one-year suspension after she was tested positive for the usage of banned steroid clenbuterol at the 2008 US Olympic trials but then got a reduced ban as her explanation about using the substance was accepted by the jury thus avoiding a normally two years ban.

Jessica Hardy

Reacting on the decision, Jessica Hardy told reports, “I am ecstatic that the IOC has recognized my unique situation and that this rule does not apply to me. With this final hurdle now behind me, I can now focus 100 percent of my efforts on preparing for and representing my country at next year’s Olympic Games, a lifelong dream that was taken away from me in 2008.”