'Concerned for her welfare': Shayna Jack scandal takes dark twist
The doping scandal engulfing Shayna Jack has sparked concerns for her mental health as the swimmer prepares for an uncertain future.
The 20-year-old faces a four-year ban after testing positive to Ligandrol, a muscle growth agent, during an Australian swim camp ahead of the world championships in South Korea.
Jack, who denies knowingly taking the drug, will meet with officials from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) on Friday.
Jack initially cited personal reasons for leaving the world championships only for her positive drugs test to later be leaked to the media.
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Swimming Australia has said it couldn't, under anti-doping legislation, reveal the positive test until Jack or ASADA made it known.
While a war of words continues on the procedural side of the saga, Australian sporting identities have revealed the toll the week has taken on Jack.
"This morning at my gym I had a chance to chat to a dual Olympic gold medallist Australian swimmer," former ASADA chief executive Richard Ings wrote on Twitter.
"People are concerned for the welfare of Ms Jack. This is just sport but it is also the field of dreams. I also hope she has good support around her."
The external concerns from athletes and officials who understand the situation better than most comes after a startling insight from Jack's manager Phil Stoneman.
He told the ABC this week that Jack was prepared to fly to Korea to join the Australian Dolphins' world championships squad had her B sample returned a negative result.
Instead she was left to confront the reality that a long-term ban was now a legitimate possibility.
"We're speaking to her pretty well every two or three hours," Stoneman said.
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"How's she feeling? I guess numb at the moment, that's probably the way to describe it.
"It's not every day you wake up in the morning and see your face on major metropolitan newspapers and lead stories on network (television).
"It's a tough situation for a young 20-year-old to have to deal with, particularly when it's no fault of her own unfortunately.
"She's heartbroken and incredibly vulnerable you might say at the moment."
Jack had been slated to take part in the lucrative International Swimming League later this year, with one eye still on next year’s Olympics ahead of her battle with ASDA.
The $7.7 million ISL event, a rival to governing body FINA, will provide many swimmers with more strong competition before Tokyo 2020.
However, the league has established a zero tolerance policy regarding doping.
The ISL said Monday that Jack's suspension was in effect while the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency investigates.
Andrea di Nino, managing director of the ISL, said any athletes with doping control or ethical violation records will be considered ineligible with no recourse.
“No doping control rules violation will be overlooked,” said di Nino.
“This is another case that serves to reiterate our stance on banned substances and breaking doping control rules – no such behaviour will ever be condoned.”
with AAP
