Hardiman won a bronze medal in the 200-metre breaststroke at the 1993 European Aquatics Championships. She finished 14th in the same event at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1995 she set a national record in the same 200-metre breaststroke that stood for five years. At the ASA National British Championships she won the 100 metres breaststroke title in 1994, the 200 metres breaststroke title in 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the 400 metres medley title in 1994.