We reported today how Australian swimmer Shayna Jack‘s A and B samples from a doping test dated June 26th had both tested positively for Ligandrol.
Also known as selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) LGD-4033, was originally developed for the treatment of muscle wasting conditions such as aging, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer, is promoted as a selective non-steroidal anabolic agent. (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority).
Jack was notified of the positive A sample on July 12th, told of her B sample on July 19th, but Swimming Australia only made the entire situation public on July 27th.
This timeline left some to question the delay by Swimming Australia.
The organization’s official statement read, “under the specific legislation governing Australia‘s drug-testing regime, Swimming Australia is notified of any adverse test result as is WADA and FINA. Under the process, all details are required to remain confidential until ASADA has completed its investigations, the athlete is afforded due process and an outcome determined.”
However, former ASADA head Richard Ings is putting this restriction under the spotlight, pointing out Section 14.3.1 of Swimming Australia’s anti-doping policy, which states, “The identity of any Athlete or other person who is asserted by ASADA or another Anti-Doping Organisation to have committed an anti-doping rule violation, may be publicly disclosed by ASADA or another Anti-Doping Organisation only after notice has been provided to the Athlete or other person in accordance with Article 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 or 7.7 and simultaneously to WADA and the international federation in accordance with Article 14.1.2.” (ABC)
Ings boils it down to saying, “I think that’s a very disappointing part of this whole situation. Not just from the athlete, but particularly from Swimming Australia. When an athlete is provisionally suspended, the rules do allow the sport to make a public announcement.
“If Swimming Australia is suggesting that their anti-doping policy, approved by ASADA, forbids them from announcing the Jack provisional suspension, they are wrong,” said Ings. (ABC)
Swimming Australia Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren also held a press conference today in which he stated, “We are not trying to cover anything up. We don’t play a game. She’s [Jack] not here [in Gwangju] and it shows that the Australian system works.
“We can pride ourself in Australia in having a strict system that protects sport and athletes,” stated Verhaeren.
You can view the Verhaeren press conference here.
swimming australia declined to the name the substance in their press conference. shayna then posts on instagram that the b sample result was known 19 july, and names the substance. seems an unnecessary delay in informing teammates and other coaches. that delay isn’t helpful. and now it’s wait and see where it came from/what the sanction will be/what happens next
Give it up for mah gurl Shayna Jacked
While there is provision for them to make Shayna’s positive test public they are by no means obligated to until up to 20 days after a final ruling has been made. See section from WADA Code reference:
http://i.imgur.com/z6YTwvO.png
1st: “we can’t release before confirmed results” (straight up lie)
Next: they release before confirmed results (yesterday) but not when they knew, June 26th.
Hide the result, lie about your ability to reveal the result, then go against your own lie and release the news anyway. The behavior if a small child. Super sketchy, not from the swimmer, but an entire governing body.
I do think the whole timing is odd. If you aren’t going to disclose this before the meet, why wouldn’t you wait until after the meet? At least let the meet’s spotlight be on the athletes who are competing.
They didn’t disclose it, Shayna Jack did. So presumably she jumped the gun.
Which means they transported her to the meet knowing she is basically Sun Yang….
no. she was sent home from the traning camp in japan.
That’s because she got the positive test.
That’s because for some reason Shayna jack disclosed this in her Instagram before the meet was over so swimming Australia had to respond ..
I don’t think the secrecy was a good idea but I do think they made the right decision of suspending Shayna jack immediately
I understand Shayna was the person to disclose it. My question is why would she do that in the middle of the meet?