Exclusive: Shayna Jack talks about her future in swimming
As she awaits word on when she will be able to compete in the pool again, Shayna Jack opens up about the “draining and horrible process” she has gone through - and whether she is still training in the event she is able to swim at the Tokyo Olympics.
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As she awaits word on when she will be able to compete in the pool again, Shayna Jack opens up about the “draining and horrible process” she has gone through - and whether she is still training in the event she is able to swim at the Tokyo Olympics.
Your future in swimming remains under a cloud since you failed a drug test in June 2019. What has been the physical and mental impact of having to go through the process of proving your innocence to ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority)?
This whole experience has been a roller-coaster of a ride. I have struggled a lot mentally as I have been found to be in breach of rules that I did not knowingly or intentionally break. Having the one thing I felt was my purpose in life stripped away from me and completely ostracise me from the swimming community was harder than anyone could ever imagine.
Not being able to do what is natural to me and what drove me every day really affected my day-to-day living, I didn’t like leaving the house, my emotions were never in my control, I often felt isolated even when around people I know. But the toughest thing was that no-one truly understood what I was facing and how I felt.
Do you feel the allegations have impacted your reputation?
I do not believe my reputation has been impacted in a bad way as I continue to maintain my values and speak the truth. In this situation I am still those things as I will stand up for what is right and I will fight to be back in the pool doing what I love.
Athletes are already under extreme public scrutiny – what has this been like?
Being 21 years old I have never faced such a thing, and to face the scrutiny that I was given was gut-wrenching and made me feel really vulnerable. Being an athlete who represents Australia is such an honour, however, the public do not see how much we sacrifice to do what we do. They do not see the pain we put ourselves through to achieve what we achieve.
And mostly the public did not know me when they started making assumptions about who I was and the kind of person I am. I know who I am, and I know that I would never do this willingly to myself, my family or my country.
Your case is currently pending and you are awaiting potential sanctions. What do you believe the outcome could be?
I honestly don’t know. Anyone who has studied anti-doping tribunal decisions understands sanctions can vary significantly from case to case. All I can do is trust in the process and the impartiality of the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] and present my defence.
It has been a difficult and long process, but one thing has never changed for me from day one: I have never bought, possessed, been supplied with or used prohibited substances in any way.
Despite this, I am provisionally suspended and have been for approximately 15 months. It has been a draining and horrible process – I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Despite that, I look forward to the hearing; the decision will bring a sense of finality to the whole ordeal.
Are you still training to be competition ready in the event you are able to participate in the Tokyo Olympics next year?
At the moment I am preparing myself to be in the best possible state for the trial, mentally and physically. After the CAS decision has been made, I will then reassess what my future goals and aspirations look like.
You’ve also signed on to compete in the new Seven Network reality series SAS Australia. Was the show an escape of sorts?
The show wasn’t an escape, it was a way to show myself that I can face fears and challenge myself further than I ever could have imagined. I have spent my whole life swimming and never doing anything else, in case of risking injury.
The challenges can be gruelling – how did you prepare your body and mind?
I did as much as I could to prepare my body without causing injury: bike rides to build endurance in my legs, pack walks to prepare for the long days with heavy equipment, and boxing to help with cardio. When it comes to my mentality, I believe the past year of mental battles was enough to prepare myself.