- Shayna Jack secured gold in the 4×100 relay
- She faced a doping ban during the last Olympics
- Jack has now vindicated herself of any wrongdoing
Three years ago, Shayna Jack found herself at a zoo, filled with envy.
At that moment, Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team was competing at the Tokyo Olympics.
However, her recent two-year doping suspension had just ended, preventing her from participating in the Tokyo Games.
While Australia’s team, featuring Emma McKeon, sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell, and Meg Harris, clinched gold in Tokyo with a world record time.
‘I was at Australia Zoo,’ Jack reflected after being part of Australia’s gold-winning 4x100m free relay team at the Paris Games on Saturday night.
‘My partner and I love animals, and I decided to visit Australia Zoo.
‘I was tempted to tune in and support them; I truly adore those girls.
‘Their joy was palpable, but it also filled me with envy knowing I couldn’t share that moment with them.’
Shayne Jack won Olympic gold as part of the 4x100m freestyle team
Jack tested positive for a banned substance in 2019 but has since cleared her name
‘I reached out to each of them afterwards.
‘That experience fueled my determination to return.
‘It ignited my passion to be part of this remarkable team.’
Having always asserted her innocence regarding doping, Jack now intends to step back from her successful relay performance and concentrate on her individual events, the 50m and 100m freestyles.
‘I have numerous aspirations for this week,’ she expressed.
‘I’ll take time at the end of the week to reflect, but for now, I’m eager to get back in the pool and see what more I can achieve.
‘Qualifying for the Olympic team was my initial goal, and it was such an exhilarating experience; I had no idea where it would lead me.’
‘This truly is an excellent beginning.’
