Jessica Hardy

Jessica Hardy

Jessica Adele Hardy (born March 12, 1987) is an American international swimmer who specializes in breaststroke and freestyle events. She currently holds the world records in the 50-meter breaststroke (short and long course) and the 100-meter breaststroke (long course). Hardy earned a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle and a gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relays at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

She has won a total of twenty-three medals in major international competition, twelve gold, eight silver, and three bronze spanning the Olympics, World and the Pan Pacific Championships. Hardy's breakthrough performance was at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships, where she won three silver medals and broke Leisel Jones' world record in the 100-meter breaststroke. She was named USA Swimming's Breakout Performer of the Year for her performance that year. Most of her international medals have come in breaststroke and relay events.

After qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in 2008, Hardy tested positive for clenbuterol and voluntarily left the team. The substance typically carries a two-year ban, but she ended up serving a one-year ban after she explained to the American Arbitration Association that her positive test was a result of a tainted nutritional supplement.