“Felt About Sui*ide”- US Swimming Insider Reveals Dark Side of 4X World Champion

Feb 1, 2024 | 4:00 PM EST

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The world of swimming is a special place where the potential of athletes continues to be pushed. In this beautiful world, however, sometimes moments can mar the careers of athletes. One such moment occurred in 2008 when Jessica Hardy, an American swimmer specializing in breaststroke and freestyle, faced a 12-month suspension from swimming due to a positive drug test. This moment changed the course of her career, and she even withdrew from the 2008 United States Olympic Team.

But after making a solid comeback in 2009, Jessica Hardy continued her storied success and went on to win a gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relays and a bronze medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Olympics. Sharing her journey, the now-36-year-old swimmer shed light on that dark moment. In response, another similar journey like hers was highlighted, discussing the mental strength it takes in such moments.

Jessica Hardy opens up about mental health battle after her suspension

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In a YouTube podcast by Inside with Brett Hawke, Jessica Hardy opened up about her suspension back in 2008. Hardy revealed how to clear her name; she spent a lot of money to investigate the source of the contamination. Her family hired a lawyer and a lab expert to test the supplements and medicine they were taking. After six months, Jessica Hardy found out that the supplements were contaminated, providing evidence of her innocence. Looking back at the incident, Jessica Hardy revealed the emotional toll this took that affected her mental health due to the embarrassment and public scrutiny. She said, “It was enough to end somebody.”

However grateful she was to have the support system she did, she shared, “I’m very lucky, and I know that a lot of athletes aren’t, so yeah, it’s really heartbreaking.” This was met with an empathetic response from Brett Hawke, who shared a similar experience shared by another swimming 4X World Champion.

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How another swimming champion faced similar dark times

In the podcast, Brett Hawke also shared the incident that occurred with Australian swimmer Shayna Jack, who has won 11 medals at the World Aquatics Championships, including four gold medals, five silver medals, and two bronze medals. In a similar incident, Shayna Jack served a 24-month suspension by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2019.

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Opening up in the interview with Jessica Hardy, Brett Hawke recalled how Shayna Jack went through similar emotions, sharing, “I don’t think in the end she was able to find the source, but you know she fought just as hard as you did, and she ultimately got her name cleared from it. He continued sharing how “when she was alone, she was in a very very dark place, and she needed people around her because otherwise, those times where it was just her, I don’t know if she felt about s**c*de, but in terms of like you know possible harm and things like that, it probably crosses your mind doesn’t it.” The revelations by the swimming insiders highlighted the resilience it takes in such dark times and also how a support system plays a vital role in the lives of athletes.

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