Swimmer Shayna Jack to retire after Commonwealth Games: ‘I do feel fulfilled’

Australian athlete, 27, won two Olympic gold medals in Paris Jack served a doping ban after Ligandrol was found in her system Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has announced she will retire after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In a video posted on Instagram in which Jack spoke with her coach Dean Boxall, the freestyler fought back tears as she said the Games – from 23 July to 2 August – would be her competitive swan song. Continue reading...

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has announced she will retire after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In a video posted on Instagram in which Jack spoke with her coach Dean Boxall, the freestyler fought back tears as she said the Games – from 23 July to 2 August – would be her competitive swan song. “It’s been an absolute privilege being an Australian athlete, an Australian swimmer, an Olympic medallist, Commonwealth Games medallist, world medallist, and world record holder,” the 27-year-old said.

“I think I’ve definitely ticked off all the boxes. It’s been a long career, but I’m ready to announce my retirement and be Shayna Jack.” Speaking to Boxall, Jack added: “When I decided when and how I was going to do this, I thought, ‘Dean Boxall, before Commonwealth Games’.

Because I want to go out there, head held high, proud of who I am, proud of what I’m representing, and proud of what I’m saying goodbye to. “And give the people an opportunity to be proud of me, and me feel that. I want to feel it, I want to feel like I had an impact.”

Asked by Boxall if she felt fulfilled, Jack said: “I do. I do feel fulfilled.” Jack won gold medals for Australia in the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays at the Olympic Games of 2024.

She also won 17 world championship medals. Jack also served a two-year ban after the performance enhancing drug Ligandrol was found in her system in 2019. The Queenslander has always insisted she did not knowingly take the drug.