BRISBANE: On Wednesday night, Shayna Jack stood by the pool at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, reflecting on her tumultuous journey through a harrowing drug controversy. She recalled a poignant statement made by her younger brother, Jamie.
It was November 16, 2020, the day the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) handed the Australian swimmer a two-year suspension.
Understandably, her younger brother was devastated. Although Shayna’s initial four-year ban had been reduced, she was still serving a suspension, even after CAS concluded she had not intentionally consumed the prohibited substance.
“He was pretty upset. I approached him, and he mentioned he was uncertain about continuing with swimming,” Shayna recounted, sharing her memories with reporters at the Australian Swimming Championships. “He said, ‘If this is how the world treats you in sport, if this is the injustice that exists, do I really want to pursue this as well?'”
“I responded, ‘Jamie, if it wasn’t worth it, I wouldn’t be coming back. If it wasn’t worth it, I wouldn’t be fighting so vigorously.'”
Shayna Jack gives her younger brother Jamie a hug at the 2025 Australian swimming championships. Delly Carr/Swimming Australia
“All of that struggle, all that time spent fighting my way out of a tough situation, it was all for the sheer joy of being on an Australian team,” she expressed.
“That moment really made him realise how special it is to be part of this. Since then, I have watched him blossom and excel.”
Earlier that evening, about 45 minutes before Shayna spoke to reporters, Jamie was preparing to compete in the men’s 50m freestyle final.
Shayna cheered him on from the edge of the pool.
“Go, Jamie!” she encouraged, leaning forward and cupping her hands to amplify her voice.
Jamie went on to take second place with a time of 21.95 seconds, just behind Olympic gold medallist Cameron McEvoy.
Jamie Jack (left) and Italian Olympic gold medallist Thomas Ceccon chatting after the 100m freestyle final. Delly Carr/Swimming Australia
The following night, Jamie surpassed expectations by clinching his first national title in the 100m freestyle. He may not have won, as Italian Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon took the gold, but Jamie was still the standout.
“In competitions like this, Shayna is incredibly supportive,” Jamie remarked after clocking 48.63 seconds in the 100m event. “She understands how to alleviate the pressure on herself, and she knows that my aim here is to prove I belong on the [Australian] team.”
“If I wasn’t performing at my best, I would feel frustrated, yet she encourages me to remain focused on improving.”
Motivated by his sister’s encouraging words from that pivotal November day in 2020, the 22-year-old has been dedicated to his training.
Under the guidance of well-known coach Dean Boxall, Jamie trains alongside a talented Brisbane squad that includes Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan, Elijah Winnington, and his sister, Shayna. He has now set his sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
A shorter-term target for him is to make his Dolphins debut at the upcoming world championships in Singapore.
Imagining himself representing the country alongside Shayna fills him with excitement.
“I think I’d be in tears,” he reflected. “It would be a truly magical experience to travel with my sister. I have always loved swimming, and representing your country in a sport you adore holds immense significance. Competing at an international level in Singapore, especially alongside Shayna, would be phenomenal.”
“She epitomises resilience. Having faced numerous challenges, I care deeply for her and have always wanted the best for her. She has battled hard and showcased an incredible determination to remain at the top of her game.”
“It’s evident that she loves the sport. She returned to it, fought to get back here, and she undeniably deserves this.”
Shayna Jack, surrounded by her lawyer and family, faces the media early in her arduous drug saga. Getty
As Shayna’s campaign for the Paris Games wrapped up, competing at the world championships hadn’t originally been part of her plan.
In just a few years, she had transitioned from contemplating suicide amid the turmoil of her drug ordeal to being adorned with an Olympic gold medal.
With the Olympics behind her, it was time to reflect.
“I hadn’t considered competing at the world titles, but I’m keen to secure a place this year,” Shayna, who was part of Australia’s victorious women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, stated.
“My main motivation is my desire to be part of the team with my brother and support him throughout. As his older sister, joining the Dolphins squad with him would mean the world to me.”
Shayna made her competitive return at the national championships this week.
Her performances weren’t what she had hoped for — fifth in the 100m freestyle and fourth in the 50m — but that was expected; she had only just come back from the African jungle.
“Watching my brother achieve his goals, whether that’s making the world championships or an Olympic team down the line, or simply enjoying his swimming, will be very emotional for me,” Shayna beamed.
“My dream is to one day present him with his swim cap and number.”
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