Shayna Jack’s raw admission after sealing Olympic dream at swimming trials

Shayna Jack is off to the Paris Olympics, realising her swimming dream after considering not returning to the pool in the wake of her ban.

Shayna Jack is off to the Paris Olympics.

At times Shayna Jack doubted whether she’d ever return to the pool, now she is off to the Paris Olympics.

Jack finished equal fifth in the 200m freestyle final on Wednesday night at the Australian swimming trials, tying with club teammate Jamie Perkins in 1:56.22.

Traditionally the top six swimmers in the 100m and 200m freestyle are selected for the relays, and Jack is all but assured of a spot on the plane to Paris.

Jack nearly gave swimming away after a 24-month suspension for an anti-doping rule violation ruled her out of contention for the Tokyo Olympics.

She returned to the Australian team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has won individual medals at the past two world championships.

But a maiden Olympic team is a dream come true for the 25-year-old, who rose through the junior ranks as a talented sprinter.

“There were probably points where I thought I didn’t want to be an Olympian anymore when I nearly gave up on that dream and I’m really glad I didn’t,” Jack told reporters post-race.

“My family, friends and partner are really proud of me no matter what happened tonight and moving forward. 

“For the rest of this week this is about me and what I wanted to achieve since I was a young girl. Tonight was a tick off that list, but trying to keep myself composed over the next couple of days.”

Shayna Jack is off to the Olympics. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Jack’s best chance to qualify in an individual event is in the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle, which shapes as the most stacked race on the program.

“I’m looking forward to my 50 and 100,” she said.

“I’m really proud of myself and the girls tonight. I really just wanted to go into this feeling happy and proud of myself.

“Dean and I had a bit of moment to reflect and look on how far I have come. 

“I may not have ever returned to the pool in general, so I know every time I stand behind those blocks, I fought for my position to be there and I’ll keep fighting for my spot no matter where it is, whether it’s on pool deck or at the Olympics.”

Jack said she’ll keep fighting. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

In a blistering duel between the Olympic and world champions Ariarne Titmus pipped Mollie O’Callaghan to break the 200m freestyle record set by O’Callaghan at last year’s world titles.

It was a sensational showdown between the two talents and another showcase of the depth in Dean Boxall’s St Peters Western squad.

Five of the top six swimmers in the 200m (Titmus, O’Callaghan, Brianna Throssell, Jack and Perkins) train under Boxall at the same Brisbane club.

“I’m really, really proud of those girls,” Jack said.

“It is tough. We do all come from the same club at St Peters. But that’s what gives us that depth. We all train together, we push each other and that was showcased right there.

“Five of the top six girls were from St Peters, that’s no small triumph. For Mollie and Ariarne to both go under the world record time is phenomenal. They pushed each other to the end.”

Titmus, Brianna Throssell and Jack all train together. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

St Peters Western teammates Titmus, O’Callaghan, Throssell and Jack broke the 4x200m freestyle relay last year at the world titles.

The Aussies will be red hot favourites for relay gold in Paris after claiming bronze behind China and the USA in Tokyo.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Jack.

“I was lucky enough last year to be part of that 4x200 relay that did break the world record. For us going forward, all we want to do is continue to dominate that event.
“Having someone like Dean on our side and the girls that I train with, no matter who stands up there for our 4x200 relay, it’s going to be a fantastic swim and we’re all going to put ourselves in line for our country.”

It’s been a long road back for Shayna Jack. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)

Jack said she was determined to “enjoy the journey” after rediscovering her love of swimming.

“I came into this with the (mindset) that I really wanted to enjoy the journey,” she said.

“I sat down with Dean and I basically said to him I’ve watched countless swimmers before go through an Olympics and struggle to enjoy it and have the love for the sport.

“I’ve been through that and had those moments from a different perspective and really don’t want to go through a phase where I don’t love the sport anymore.

“I really wanted to come into this enjoying the journey, remembering that no matter what, I’ve put myself out there, gave it my all and basically come away proud of myself.”