Swimming Australia has confirmed rising star Shayna Jack has failed a doping test.
After initially claiming Jack had left the team before the world titles for “personal reasons”, Swimming Australia said on Saturday the 20-year-old had failed a routine out-of-competition drug test in late June.
“Swimming Australia tonight confirmed that swimmer Shayna Jack has been notified by ASADA of an adverse test result following a routine out-of-competition drug test conducted by ASADA testers on June 26, 2019,” a statement said.
“Once Swimming Australia was made aware of the adverse test result, it immediately took action – in accordance with the national policy – to provisionally suspend Shayna from the Australian swim team while a process was under way and accompanied her back to Australia from a training camp being held in Japan.
“The Swimming Australia policy also means that any Australian athlete under provisional suspension, while ASADA investigations are under way, cannot take part in any competition, meaning Shayna was unable to travel to Gwangju to compete at the 2019 World Championships.”
Jack also confirmed the positive test on Instagram.
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“It is with great sadness and heartache that I had to leave due to allegations of having a prohibited substance in my system,” she posted.
“I did NOT take this substance knowingly. Swimming has been my passion since I was 10 years old and I would never intentionally take a banned substance that would disrespect my sport and jeopardise my career.
Shayna Jack posted about the doping test on social media. Facebook
“Now there is an ongoing investigation and my team and I are doing everything we can to find out when and how this substance has come into contact with my body.”
While confirming the failed test, Swimming Australia could not provide any more details about the results.
“Under the process, all details are required to remain confidential until ASADA has completed its investigations, the athlete is afforded due process and an outcome determined,” the statement said.
News of Jack’s failed test comes near the end of a world titles campaign in which Australia’s Mack Horton has taken a high-profile anti-doping stand against China’s Sun Yang.
Horton refused to join Sun on the podium after the Chinese star relegated him to 400m freestyle silver, sparking an international furore.
hina’s Sun Yang is interviewed after his men’s 200m freestyle semifinal at the World Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, Monday, July 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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Swimmers were angry Sun had been allowed to contest the titles ahead of a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in September which might end the 11-time world champion’s career.
Eyebrows were raised when Jack withdrew from the Dolphins’ squad just days before the world titles started in Gwangju.
“‘It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from world championships due to personal reasons” she posted on Instagram at the time.
“‘I appreciate everyone’s support and patience. Thank you all.”
Swimming Australia officials refused to elaborate on the reason behind Jack’s departure ahead of the titles.
The sprinter had been set to be a key figure in Australia’s 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m relay outfits at the world titles in South Korea.