Tributes as Shayna Jack announces retirement
Queenslander Shayna Jack has announced the Commonwealth Games will be her final competitive outing.
Source: Shayna Jack
Olympic medallist Shayna Jack says she will quit competitive swimming after the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Jack revealed her decision in a video posted on Instagram late on Tuesday.
In the clip, Jack fights back tears as she tells coach Dean Boxall that the Games – which begin next week – will 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 freestyler 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.”
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Jack followed up her post with a grateful thanks to supporters and fans on Wednesday. Photo: Instagram
Jack told Boxall she had 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,” she said.
“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.”
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Asked by Boxall if she felt fulfilled, Jack said: “I do. I do feel fulfilled.”
The post was quickly swamped with comments of support, including from fellow athletes.
“You have so much to be proud of,” Olympic legend Ariarne Titmus wrote.
“It’s been and honour to share the pool deck with you over the past 20 years,” posted Kyle Chalmers.
And Kaylee McKeown, who recently withdrew from the Commonwealth Games with glandular fever wrote, “you’ve been an inspiration to so many”.
Jack won gold medals for Australia in the 4×100-metres and 4×200-metre freestyle relays at the 2024 Olympic Games.
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.
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