'It doesn't matter': Swimming boss' blunt message amid doping scandal

Mon, 29 July 2019, 5:13 am

As Shayna Jack awaits her fate, Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell admits some doping cases may be the result of athletes making a simple mistake.

Swimming star Jack faces a ban that looks set to shatter her Tokyo Olympics dream after sensationally revealing on social media on Sunday that her B sample had tested positive.

Jack says she will fight to clear her name.

Russell said some positive drug tests are the result of an athlete slipping up and ingesting something without fully knowing its contents.

"I do think that people can make mistakes, and seemingly and inadvertently be taking things," she said.

"It does take a high level of care and vigilance, they (athletes) are not living like normal human beings.

"It stands to reason that from time to time you are going to get people who have potentially not realised that something is on the list.

"But it doesn't matter, it is their fault."

In light of Shanya Jack's (pictured) doping scandal, Swimming Australia say they are sympathetic but responsibility ultimately rests with athletes. — In the days Shayna Jack's doping scandal was revealed, Swimmimg Australia has come under immense pressure. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Critics have taken aim at SA after they remained silent when the sprinter was told her A sample had tested positive to a non-steroid anabolic agent popular with bodybuilders - Ligandrol - on July 12.

She was sent home the same day from Australia's world titles training camp in Japan, citing "personal reasons".

It led to the awkward situation where the few SA officials who knew of Jack's positive test could only look on silently as Olympic champion Mack Horton launched an anti-doping protest at the world titles in South Korea, completely oblivious of the fact his former teammate had tested positive.

Timing of B sample prompts questions

Then eyebrows were raised when Jack revealed on Instagram on Sunday that her B sample also tested positive on July 19, two days before the world titles started at Gwangju.

Russell had only referred to an A sample when she addressed the media on Sunday to slam Jack's positive test as "bitterly disappointing and embarrassing for the national swimming team, the sport and the country".

Russell also indicated they were still waiting on the B test.

She said confidentiality required by SA's agreement with national anti-doping body ASADA didn't allow them to reveal Jack's initial A sample test.

DISTRESSED: Disturbing truth behind Mack Horton's podium protest exposed

Russell said Jack had been planning to reveal the A sample positive test after the world titles ended on Sunday so it would not be a distraction for the Dolphins.

But the truth came out on Saturday when media reports broke that Jack's A sample had tested positive, creating a major distraction for the Australian team that still had two days left in their world titles campaign at Gwangju.

Former ASADA CEO Richard Ings led the chorus of disapproval over SA's handling of the issue.

"Swimming Australia seem a little out of their depth on this matter," he told Ten Network.

"Sports globally do announce provisional suspensions (after A sample tests positive) because you can't keep a secret when a top, famous athlete suddenly disappears from competition.

"I hope the rules change to allow ASADA and Swimming Australia to make announcements in future."