- Shayna Jack took gold in the 4×100 relay
- He served a doping ban during the last Olympic Games
- Jack has since cleared his name of wrongdoing.
Three years ago, Shayna Jack was wandering around a zoo and was filled with envy.
The Australian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team was competing at the Tokyo Olympics.
But Jack’s two-year doping ban had just ended: it cost him the chance to swim at the Tokyo Games.
The Australian team consisting of Emma McKeon, sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell and Meg Harris won gold in Tokyo in a world record time.
“I was at Australia Zoo,” Jack said after taking part in Australia’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that won gold at the Paris Games on Saturday night.
‘I’m a huge animal lover, as is my partner, and we went to Australia Zoo.
‘I was still tempted to look at them… and cheer them on, I love those girls.
‘It was joy for them, but also envy for not being able to be there.
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 his name.
‘I sent a message to each of them afterwards.
‘It was one of those moments that made me want to fight to get back.
“That really fueled that passion to come back and be a part of this team.”
Jack, who has always maintained his innocence in doping matters, will now seek to come down from the high of the Paris relay and focus on his individual events, the 50 and 100 metre freestyle.
“I have so many things I want to accomplish this week,” he said.
‘I’m going to take that time at the end of the week to reflect, but for now I’m going to get back in the pool, prepare and push myself to see what else I can do.
‘Making the Olympic team was my first step and it was one of the most exciting moments. I didn’t know where it would take me.
“This is definitely a great start.”