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Jack 'struggling' with lengthy drug probe

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Shayna Jack (Getty)
Shayna Jack (Getty)

Sydney - Drug-tainted Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has claimed she could have to wait nine months for a chance to prove her innocence, after testing positive for a banned substance.

Jack, part of Australia's 4x100m freestyle team that set a world record last year, tested positive outside competition to the banned muscle-building drug Ligandrol in June.

In her first public comments since meeting with Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) officials in early August, Jack wrote in an Instagram post late on Tuesday that the uncertainty surrounding the lengthy drug probe and her swimming future had taken its toll.

The 20-year-old, who has denied knowingly taking the drug, said the "whole process has been a test" of the strength of her mental health.

"I have found that I am struggling most with accepting the current situation, how much it has not only impacted my swimming career but my everyday life," she wrote.

She said she did not expect her case to be heard until June 2020, which would coincide with trials to qualify for Australia's swimming team that will compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

But ASADA said in a statement to AFP that "each case is different and is treated on a case-by-case basis" and there was "no set timeline" for dealing with anti-doping rule violations.

Jack said her support team was attempting to fast-track the process, adding she "would never stop fighting for her dream as an Australian Dolphin".

The controversial young swimmer faces a four-year ban from competition - the standard penalty for athletes who test positive for anabolic agents - unless she can prove her innocence.

View this post on Instagram

Hi everyone, I know you haven’t heard from me in some time but I have been taking time to ensure my mental health is properly supported and managed, as this whole process has been a test on its strength. I’d like to thank the people who have, from day one, been by my side and supported me without a doubt. Although he can’t talk I am so grateful my boy Hugo entered my life during this time to give me unconditional love and cuddles when I couldn’t stop crying. I have found that I am struggling most with accepting the current situation, how much it has not only impacted my swimming career but my everyday life. Additionally, how long the process will be before I get any final information. I have not yet received the letter of infraction and have been told that I won’t for up to another 10 weeks and to make things harder I’ve been informed that I could be waiting another 9 months from now till I get a finalised hearing. My team are doing everything they can to fast track this process but it’s so hard when we aren’t in control of how and when things happen. I made a promise to myself that I would never stop fighting for my dream as an Australian Dolphin or my character as I know I have, nor will I ever take a drug of any kind intentionally.

A post shared by Shayna Jack (@shayna_jack) on

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