Dara just one the national title in the 100M Freestyle in 54.4 at the ripe old age of 40. Simply Incredible. :applaud: :woot:
If that's not inspiring I don't know what is.
Parents
Former Member
Some of the arguments here are pretty comical.
5/26/2006 at the age of 19 Jessica hardy swam 26.97, the first time under 27 seconds in her career that I could find on usa swimming. All swims prior to this were 27's and 28's.
From that swim, she makes dramatic improvements from 26.97 all the way to 24.48 in the olympic trials at age 21 (where she test positive for a banned substance).
Nearly a 2.5 second drop. That is going from not even being an olympic trials qualifier to world class in a pretty short time. And the substance she tested positive for is known for its ability to clear the body quickly and has benefits for sprinters.
Anything is possible, tainted meat or supplements, fellow team mate spiking her water bottle, or even a dirty coach. But how likely are those scenarios?
I heard she didn't start training seriously until later relative to other elite swimmers, so while these drops are worth considering in this context, there are likely other variables at play. Doesn't change the positive test, obviously, but it's easy to go back and find evidence that supports a now known outcome.
I'm sure you could point to dozens of other swimmers with similar time drops over similar periods of time who are totally clean. Let's not allow our reaction to this case taint our view of breakthrough swimming.
Some of the arguments here are pretty comical.
5/26/2006 at the age of 19 Jessica hardy swam 26.97, the first time under 27 seconds in her career that I could find on usa swimming. All swims prior to this were 27's and 28's.
From that swim, she makes dramatic improvements from 26.97 all the way to 24.48 in the olympic trials at age 21 (where she test positive for a banned substance).
Nearly a 2.5 second drop. That is going from not even being an olympic trials qualifier to world class in a pretty short time. And the substance she tested positive for is known for its ability to clear the body quickly and has benefits for sprinters.
Anything is possible, tainted meat or supplements, fellow team mate spiking her water bottle, or even a dirty coach. But how likely are those scenarios?
I heard she didn't start training seriously until later relative to other elite swimmers, so while these drops are worth considering in this context, there are likely other variables at play. Doesn't change the positive test, obviously, but it's easy to go back and find evidence that supports a now known outcome.
I'm sure you could point to dozens of other swimmers with similar time drops over similar periods of time who are totally clean. Let's not allow our reaction to this case taint our view of breakthrough swimming.
