Up-and-coming swim sensation Shayna Jack has spoken out about her positive drug test as she continues to face backlash for the incident.
The Brisbane based freestyler on Sunday night confirmed she was the latest athlete to be caught up in a doping scandal, having tested positive to Ligandrol during a routine drug test on July 12.
But Jack is adamant she has no idea how the substance found its way into her body, and said the moment she found out she’d returned a positive reading her world came to a standstill.
Triple Olympian Lisa Curry described the doping scandal involving the 20-year-old as a ‘nightmare’.
Curry told The Project Jack’s defence of ignorance ‘simply isn’t good enough’.
Brisbane based freestyler Jack on Sunday night confirmed she was the latest athlete to be caught up in a doping scandal, having tested positive to Ligandrol during a routine drug test on July 12
‘Unfortunately for Shayna, the term drug cheat is going to stick… I’ve met her and she is a lovely young girl but you’ve got to look at the way the rest of the world sees this.
She went on to say the situation – especially after fellow Australian swimmer Mack Horton’s silent protest against Chinese drug cheat Sun Yang – is dire.
‘I don’t think it could get any worse for Australia.
‘Our credibility is now shot to pieces, imagine what the rest of the world is thinking about us.
‘This is Australia’s worst nightmare,’ she said.
Jack has vowed to clear her name after the information was revealed to the public, but Currie said no matter what the situation, it is always an athlete’s responsibility to monitor what they’re consuming
She tested positive for Ligandrol, a drug popular with bodybuilders and used for repairing worn-out muscles and increasing muscle mass
Fellow Australian swimmer Mack Horton (left) protested drug cheats days before the scandal erupted
Jack has vowed to clear her name after the information was revealed to the public, but Curry said no matter what the situation, it is always an athlete’s responsibility to monitor what they’re consuming.
‘If its not knowingly taking something then it is unknowingly taking something but ignorance is not an excuse – it is an athletes responsibility to know what is not going to be tested as positive,’ she said.
It was believed Jack had been waiting on B sample results after failing a drug test and being sent home from the world titles team bound for South Korea.
But the 20-year-old posted on social media on Sunday that it had come back positive on July 19 – two days before the world swimming titles started.
She tested positive for Ligandrol, a drug popular with bodybuilders and used for repairing worn-out muscles and increasing muscle mass.
‘On Friday the 19th of July my ‘B sample’ results were in,’ she posted.
‘I had felt a sense of hope knowing I didn’t take this substance and that it was all a mistake during the testing and that I could return to compete for my country and with the team, however, that wasn’t the case.
‘As I read the results, my brain couldn’t even comprehend what I was seeing.’
Jack said she had never heard of Ligandrol let alone knew how to pronounce it but believed it was found in ‘contaminated supplements’.
Jack said she had never heard of Ligandrol let alone pronounce it but believed it was found in ‘contaminated supplements’
Triple Olympian Lisa Curry (pictured) described the doping scandal involving the 20-year-old as a ‘nightmare’
She protested her innocence and vowed to clear her name as she faced an ASADA ban that will almost certainly sideline her for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
‘Deep down, I feel I shouldn’t have to defend my reputation as I know that I didn’t do this,’ she said.
‘I get tested approximately every four to six weeks so why would I take anything banned and do this to myself?
‘Especially leading up to competition where I could be tested daily.
‘Why would I put myself through this anguish and risk jeopardising my career and my character?
‘I did not and would not cheat and will continue to fight to clear my name,’ Jack said in her statement.
She protested her innocence and vowed to clear her name as she faced an ASADA ban that will almost certainly sideline her for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo