Is Hardy's Positive Drug Test Linked To Supplement AdvoCare?
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Hardy's Positive Drug Test At U.S. Olympic
Trials Could Be Linked To Supplement |
U.S. Olympic swimmer Jessica Hardy is "one of at least six members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team who are listed as endorsers of a nutritional supplements and sport performance products company whose products have been banned by the NCAA and have been linked to positive drug tests," according to Reid & Albano of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Hardy's Coach Dave Solo "thinks Hardy's positive drug test at the recent 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials for the banned stimulant clenbuterol was the result of 'inadvertent consumption of a banned substance' possibly through supplements or vitamins." Hardy has been listed as an endorser of AdvoCare products on her personal Web site, the company's Web site and other sports nutritional sites. However, as of Thursday, Hardy's personal Web site with links to AdvoCare products "was taken down." The NCAA "has banned schools from distributing some AdvoCare products because of health and performance enhancement concerns." The NCAA said that an AdvoCare product "has been linked to positive drug tests by college athletes for the stimulant synephrine." Hardy's attorney Howard Jacobs said that Hardy will "appeal her positive drug test to an American Arbitration Association panel." USADA CEO Travis Tygart declined comment when he was asked if he was aware of AdvoCare. Tygart: "I can't talk about that." An AdvoCare official said that the company would respond to an interview request Thursday afternoon, but company officials "still had not responded Thursday night" (ORANGE COUNTRY REGISTER, 7/25). Hardy: “I have my attorneys and experts looking at it, but honestly, we have no idea how this positive test happened.” When asked if a supplement could have been the cause of the positive test, Hardy said, “It’s a possibility, but we don’t know what it is” (“The Early Show,” CBS, 7/25).
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