The stage was set for four-time NCAA champion Jessica Hardy to lead the U.S. swimming team at the Beijing Olympics. Now, the dreams of securing Olympic gold have been dashed, thanks to new reports that the UC Berkeley student has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Last night, Swimming World’s website broke the news that both of Hardy’s doping tests turned up positive. Since then, several conflicting reports have emerged, but an anonymous source, who claims to be personally familiar with the test results, has confirmed that Hardy did in fact test positive for a performance-enhancing stimulant.

Of course, Hardy has denied all allegations.

“I never did anything wrong. I never cheated,” she told Agent Evan Morgenstein, who questioned after her results became public. 

I believe you, Jessica. Too bad, the rest of the Internet doesn’t as message boards are rife with speculation that Hardy has been shooting up since she broke the world record for the 100m breaststroke in high school.

If Hardy fails to overturn the ruling to bar her from Beijing, the hopes of the U.S. will lie in 41-year-old veteran Dara Torres to lead the Olympic team.

In other words, there is no hope.