Shayna Jack has joined Cameron McEvoy in campaigning for clean athletes to receive world record bonus money, saying it was "disappointing" her Dolphins teammate won zilch for his historic swim and vowing to "continue the fight".
Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev last year pocketed US$1 million (A$1.4 million) for bettering the men's 50-metre freestyle world record from 2009 as a recruit of the Enhanced Games, the widely maligned entity that allows athletes to compete juiced up on performance-enhancing drugs.
Australia's McEvoy shattered Brazilian César Cielo's 50m freestyle world record when he clocked 20.88 seconds at the China Open in March.
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The reigning Olympic gold medallist in the one-lap dash also went quicker than the tainted mark of Gkolomeev's, eclipsing the Greek's time by .01 of a second.
But McEvoy earned no bonus money for his breathtaking feat because the China Open isn't run by World Aquatics.
Gkolomeev was pumped full of performance-enhancing drugs for his swim and was wearing a polyurethane suit similar to the outfits worn by swimmers in the infamous "super-suit" era of 2008-2009, including Cielo, prior to the banning of the technology.
Jack's comments on anything related to the Enhanced Games hold significant weight because of a scandal that tore apart her career and life. The Queenslander served a two-year ban for testing positive in 2019 to Ligandrol, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). She has always maintained her innocence and, crucially, the Court of Arbitration for Sport determined that Jack did not intentionally ingest the drug.
"I definitely think it's a bit of a controversial topic, and I think rightfully so Cam has every reason to be upset with the fact that he may not receive any financial gain from that incredible feat," Jack said on Nine's Today.
"It's something that athletes who are clean are gonna continue to fight for and ensure that we do get those rewards from the hard work that we put in.
"I think it is disappointing, but Cam's an incredible athlete and I don't think it's the end of his world records."
Speaking to reporters in Brisbane in the wake of his world record swim, McEvoy said it was both "ludicrous" and "unfortunate" that he didn't earn any cash prize, considering Gkolomeev took home $1.4 million for bettering Cielo's mark via "an easier route".
"Hopefully, fingers crossed, he'll just do it again and someone will back him," Jack said of McEvoy.
Jack is getting behind a DrinkWise campaign called Never Have I Ever. It's an initiative that encourages young Australians to avoid using alcohol to combat stress and anxiety, and instead have conversations and sought professional help.
She has been a passionate advocate of mental health since emerging from her hellish fight against WADA and Sport Integrity Australia, who wanted her to be banned for four years instead of two.
The sprinter has spoken publicly on several occasions about the mental demons she faced throughout the saga. It was an ordeal that even had her contemplating suicide.
"This campaign with DrinkWise is really, extremely important to me because this Never Have I Ever initiative is ensuring that young adults are not turning to alcohol when it comes to dealing with stress and anxiety," Jack said.
"As someone that has gone through those situations in the past, I really want people to be focusing on their mental health and looking for more positive ways to deal with it, like reaching out to their family, friends or, for me, even a coach.
"So I really want people to start to realise that going to alcohol for anxiety or stress is not the answer."
Jack will race at the Australian open-age swimming championships on the Gold Coast next week, taking place between Monday and Wednesday.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000
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