Shayna Jack failed drug test ‘embarrassing’, Swimming Australia chief denies cover-up attempt

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has blamed “contaminated supplements” for landing her in hot water with a positive drug test. She has released a statement maintaining her innocence.

Shayna Jack reflects after training in Cairns last month ahead of the world swimming championships. Picture: Delly Carr/Getty Images

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has blamed “contaminated supplements” for her positive drug test.

The prohibited substance that saw the 20-year-old test positive has been revealed as Ligandrol.

The swimming star released a statement this evening to share her side of the story, maintaining her innocence.

Jack was suspended and sent home from the World Championships in South Korea after she returned an ­abnormal “A sample” during routine testing at a pre-championships training camp in Cairns.

“I didn’t intentionally take this substance; I didn’t even know it was in my system,” Jack wrote.

“It just didn’t make any sense, and still doesn’t to this day.”

Jack said she was devastated by the positive result and the significant toll it had taken on her family.

“Seeing my parents, brothers, boyfriend and grandma made me break down into a million pieces as this was so hard for me to cope with,” she said.

“I think of what I have worked so hard for all being taken away from me, and I had done nothing wrong.”

WHAT IS LIGANDROL?

The Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority (ASADA) released a statement in November 2018 highlighting the “increasing number of athletes linked” to using Ligandrol. Ligandrol, also known as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) LGD-4033, is associated with building lean muscle mass. “It is claimed to be a substance that induces muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use,” the statement reads. “Athletes are warned that not only is LGD-4033 prohibited in sport but it is not yet cleared through clinical trials.”

Swimming Australia chief executive Leigh Russell said her organisation was forced by protocol to remain silent after Jack’s failed drug test, denying it tried to cover up the issue.

The revelation comes after a week of stunning anti-doping protests against China, during which Jack’s teammate Mack Horton refused to share the medal podium with Chinese megastar Sun Yang. Jack said initially she was leaving the squad for “personal reasons”.

However, the 20-year-old from Brisbane finally confirmed the positive test result after being contacted by News Corp Australia but claimed she did not ­ingest a banned substance “knowingly”.

Speaking in Melbourne today, Ms Russell said contractual obligations from an agreement with ASADA prohibited Swimming Australia from commenting publicly until either ASADA or the athlete released details of an adverse test result — a stance that was later backed by ASADA.

April 2018: Jack at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Picture: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

“I accept that this is a frustrating position but I also accept that Shayna has a right to a fair process. She has told us she was preparing to announce the adverse test result this week. She said she wanted to wait until her teammates had finished competing.”

Ms Russell said Swimming Australia was “in a really difficult position” not being able to speak out until now.

“We have a very clear policy in place that dictates who we can talk to about any particular matter. The rule is very clear for us, we must wait until ASADA or the particular athlete speaks on any matter.”

She said the organisation was unable to disclose the prohibited substance to which Jack had tested positive.

Ms Russell told a media conference in Melbourne this morning that the ASADA investigation could take “some months”.

“We’re not expecting a quick resolution to this process,” she said.

Ms Russell said Jack’s Australian swimming teammates were only notified yesterday.

August 2018: Gold medallists (from left) Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Cate Campbell and Emily Seebohm pose on the podium of the 400m freestyle relay women final of the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Tokyo. Picture: Martin Bureau/AFP

Asked about the potential penalty, she said that was a matter for ASADA.

“While the process is underway we can’t make comment on that.”

She added that they would accept ASADA’s decision.

“We would follow all the rules and regulations that we have to follow under our policy and we would obviously honour any kind of sanction that is imposed.”

Ms Russell said Jack was at home with her family and was being offered help.

“She’s got incredible support around her from her family, her friends but also more formal support that we’ve put in place.”

“She’s a 20-year-old young Australian who has been working hard for her country for a long time. Swimming’s a brutal sport, it takes deep commitment. It is all about high performance at the end. I am concerned for her as I would be anybody in this particular situation. She will have unprecedented pressure placed upon her and I think it would be good of us to remember that we are dealing with and managing a young person who is in a situation she’s never found herself in before.”

Shayna Jack competes at the World Swimming Trials at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in June. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

She rejected suggestions that the scandal would undermine Australia’s stance against drug cheats.

“While an Australian athlete returning an adverse result is both bitterly disappointing and embarrassing to our team, our sport and our country, it does not in any way change the zero tolerance view that Swimming Australia has and our continuing fight for a clean sport.

“Our view is there is no place in sport for any performance enhancing drugs.”

“I also want to make it clear that Shayna is entitled to a natural justice and a fair process and that process is continuing.”

She said she expected the failed drug test would not deter Mack Horton and others who have publicly protested against Chinese swimmer Sun Yang.

“I think that Mack has made a stand for something he truly believes in.”

Ms Russell said it was her call to allow Cate Campbell to front the media last night.

“I do accept the criticism that we did not have an official speak poolside last night and that Cate Campbell spoke on behalf of the team. That was my call, in retrospect we could have done that differently but I do want to acknowledge Cate and her leadership and ongoing commitment to a clean sport.”

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ASADA released a statement this afternoon confirming it had a confidentiality undertaking with Swimming Australia for the protection of privacy of personal information.

“The confidentiality undertaking prohibited Swimming Australia from comment. From the

outset ASADA has been working closely with Swimming Australia,” it said.

The anti-doping body said it was undertaking an ongoing investigation and would not be making further comment.