'Completely overshadowed': Greatest shame in Shayna Jack scandal
Perhaps the greatest shame in the Shayna Jack doping scandal is the fact it overshadowed Australia’s amazing performance in the pool.
Swimming Australia boss Leigh Russell said on Monday that Jack didn’t want to go public with the news of her positive test in fear it would distract her teammates competing at the world championships in South Korea.
Jack received notice that her B sample had tested positive to Ligandrol before the world championships started, but didn’t reveal the news publicly.
Had she done so, it would have created a scandal for a few days before her teammates’ performances in the pool perhaps could have stolen the headlines.
However because the doping scandal came out during the world championships, it has completely overshadowed the incredible work of our stars in the pool.
Lost amid the controversy was the fact Australia produced a remarkable turnaround from their dismal 2017 world swimming titles.
The Aussies rallied to finish second behind the United States on the medal table with 19 medals, including five gold.
The US topped the tally with 27 medals and 14 gold.
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Their Gwangju tally almost doubles their medal count two years ago when they finished a lowly eighth with 10 medals and a solitary gold, failing to win a single relay event.
In contrast, Australia won four of the first six relays held in South Korea.
Australia won only one individual gold in South Korea - but it was a doozy.
Teenager Ariarne Titmus pulled off a stunning 400m freestyle gold, marking American great Katie Ledecky's first loss over the distance at a major meet since 2012.
However as veteran Channel Nine reporter Damian Ryan put it: “The crowning of our new swim queen, Ariarne Titmus, and our dominance in the relays has been completely overshadowed by the doping scandal.”
Positives from controversial world titles
Team veteran Cate Campbell liked what she saw in South Korea.
"I am so incredibly proud of every single member of the swimming team, they have raced with integrity, they have fiercely defended each other," Campbell said.
"We have shown integrity in all of our actions and it is really a testament to this team how we have pulled through.
"We have had one of our best performances.
"I think we showed we are one united team how we have managed all of the drama that has happened outside of the pool - there's a lot to look out for for next year (Tokyo)."
As for the controversy, Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren believes the drama-packed world titles campaign will be a "breeze" compared to what awaits them at the Tokyo Olympics.
And he wouldn't have it any other way.
The international furore caused by Mack Horton's anti-doping stance taken against China's Sun Yang on the opening night of the Gwangju championships was challenging enough for Australia.
Little did they know that the biggest controversy wouldn't come until near the conclusion of the eight-day meet.
The Dolphins were left reeling from the backlash when the real reason behind Jack's late withdrawal from the world titles team emerged in the final days.
Not a good look after Horton's anti-doping podium protests.
But Verhaeren believed it was perfect preparation for Tokyo.
"Everything happens for a reason. Nobody wants this (controversies) to happen but if anything prepares you for an Olympics it is exactly this," Verhaeren said of their rollercoaster world titles campaign.
"I still think this is a breeze compared to the Olympics and the athletes and coaches know that now too.
"Yes we are dealing with some things but at the end of the day it is about not getting distracted with what you do.
"I think we have grown a lot as a team."
with AAP
