Jessica Hardy breaks world record in 50-meter breaststroke

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Jessica Hardy set the world record in the 50-meter breaststroke when she time-trialed the 100-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Open National Championships on Thursday night.

Hardy split a time of 29.95 seconds to beat the previous mark of 30.09 set by Yuliya Efimova of Russia at the world championships on Aug. 2.

Hardy made her return on Wednesday after a one-year ban because of a failed drug test. She finished second in the 100-meter freestyle. She is also scheduled to swim in the 100 breaststroke Friday and the 50 free on Saturday.

Hardy missed the Olympics last year because of the ban. In May, the American Arbitration Association found the failed test was caused by a contaminated nutritional supplement.

The World Anti-Doping Agency and FINA, swimming’s governing body, have appealed to the Court for Arbitration of Sport, and want her ineligible for the 2012 Olympics. Hardy hopes the CAS will rule by the end of the year.

Olympian Elaine Breeden, who set the U.S. Open meet record during prelims in the event, earned her second gold medal in three days when she had the top time of 58.31 in the women’s 100 butterfly. Alisa Finn was the runner-up in 58.96, while Kelley Hug was third in 59.49.

In other results, Amber McDermott won her second gold medal of the meet when she posted the top time of 4:08.18 in the women’s 400 free. Ashely Steenvoorden was second in 4:10.14. Leone Vorster of South Africa was third in 4:10.93.

After a faulty start, Chad La Tourette edged France’s Sebastien Rouault for the gold in the men’s 400 free in 3:48.26. Rouault took the silver in 3:48.39. Michael Klueh was third 3:49.35.

In the men’s 100 butterfly, Luca Mazzurana won in 52.78. Miles Joye was second and Jimmy Feigen was third.