Arbitrator reduces swimmer Jessica Hardy’s doping suspension to 1 year

Arbitrator reduces Hardy’s doping suspension

LOS ANGELES — Swimmer Jessica Hardy has had her two-year suspension for a failed drug test reduced to one year, allowing her to return to competition this summer.

The American Arbitration Association on Monday issued its decision, saying that a longer sanction would be disproportionate to the facts of the case.

As a result, Hardy’s suspension ends July 31.

The 22-year-old sprinter from Long Beach withdrew from the U.S. Olympic team last August, nearly a month after she tested positive for a low level of clenbuterol, a prohibited anabolic agent, at the Olympic swimming trials.

Hardy qualified for the Beijing Olympics in two individual events — the 100-meter breaststroke and 50 freestyle — and the 400 free relay.