Thoughts on Hardy, Kirk

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BEIJING — Not much had been heard from the two women actually swimming in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Olympics — Megan Jendrick and Rebecca Soni of USC’s Trojan Swim Club. Soni moved into the event after Jessica Hardy of Long Beach tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol.

Through a series of errors, the test results came back right at the roster submission deadline on July 21, effectively costing Tara Kirk and Lara Jackson spots on the Olympic team. Kirk finished third in the 100 breaststroke at the Olympic trials, and Jackson did the same in the 50 freestyle.

Soni and Kara Lynn Joyce, both already on the team, replaced Hardy in the 100 breaststroke, and 50 free, respectively. Soni had the fourth-fastest qualifying time in prelims on Sunday night, in 1:07.44, and Jendrick, who took second at trials behind Hardy, had the ninth-fastest, with 1:08.07.

They both talked about the controversial situation, and Soni addressed the question of extra pressure.

‘Maybe a little bit,’ she said. ‘But I’m looking at it that I’ve got the ability to do this and use it to my advantage.... It’s a pretty awkward situation. I’m just doing what I’m told to do.’

Jendrick will have plenty to say about the issue. Eventually.

‘I haven’t really been thinking about any of that,’ she said. ‘It’s a really negative subject that I’ve been trying to put it out of my head. It is something I’d like to talk about, but not till I’m done swimming.’

— Lisa Dillman