PARIS OLYMPICS 2024: Shayna Jack is all smiles after 'impossible' Olympic moment in 100m freestyle final
Shayna Jack made the most of an Olympic swim she never thought would happen.
The Australian smiled widely when she walked onto the pool deck in Paris for the 100m freestyle final. It was her first solo final at the Olympics.
The 25-year-old finished fifth, one back from teammate and defending champion Mollie O’Callaghan and about half a second behind shock Swedish winner Sarah Sjoestroem.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Three years ago the Queenslander had just returned from a two-year doping ban - reduced on appeal from four - after testing positive to the banned substance Ligandrol in 2019.
“People look at the outcomes and focus so hard they forget to enjoy the moment,” Jack said of her pre-race smiles.
“I wanted to walk out, soak up the crowd and enjoy my family being in the stands.”
Jack’s ban was reduced on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which found she did not knowingly ingest the substance.
“I tried to reflect but absorb the fact I’m here as an Olympian,” she said of the last few days.
“A couple of years ago I never thought that would be possible.”
Jack was a member of the all-conquering 4x100m freestyle relay quartet that won gold on the opening night of the Paris swimming program.
She still has the 50m event to go and said she was excited to play her part in Australia’s 200m freestyle relay heats on Thursday.
