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Shayna Jack says Ligandrol was found in her system and ‘B sample’ also tested positive

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack has revealed she has already returned a positive B Sample test for the non-steroidal anabolic agent Ligandrol in the wake of being sent home from the team ahead of the World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

In a lengthy account of how she found out she had tested positive for the substance, Jack says she still doesnt know how she ingested the substance but suggested it could be found in tainted supplements.

Jack failed the test during a training camp in Cairns on June 26 and was presented with the adverse finding while with the team in Japan on July 12. She was escorted home by a Swimming Australia official and received confirmation of her tainted B Sample on July 19.

Jack said her management, family, lawyer, team management and doctor were working to find out what happened and to defend her.

In the statement titled 'The day my life turned upside down', posted via her instagram account, Jack said she 'cried for hours' and went for a walk with coach Dean Boxall before leaving. She said she broke down when the B Sample was confirmed.

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"Seeing my parents, brothers, boyfriend and grandma made me break down into a million pieces as this was so hard for me to cope with," Jack wrote. "I didn't intentionally take this substance; I didn't even know it was in my system. It just didn't make any sense, and still doesn't to this day."

Shayna Jack competing at last month's trials in Brisbane.

Shayna Jack competing at last month's trials in Brisbane.Credit:AAP

In late 2018, ASADA warned athletes about the rise of the Ligandrol, otherwise known as LGD-4033, which had been responsible for a growing number of positive tests.

"There appears to be an increasing number of athletes linked to the use of the Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) LGD-4033," ASADA wrote.

"LGD-4033, 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.

"It is claimed to be a substance that induces muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use. However, information on the safety of LGD-4033 is scarce due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials – hence the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown.

"LGD-4033 is increasingly becoming a concern – with nine Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF – positive tests) in 2017, six AAFs in 2016 and two AAFs in 2015. Athletes are warned that not only is LGD-4033 prohibited in sport but it is not yet cleared through clinical trials."

Already the suspensions surrounding LGD-4033 are mounting up around the world. In 2017, New Yorks Knicks NBA basketball Joachim Noah was suspended for 20 games, saying it was ingested in an over-the-counter supplement as he tried to heal injuries.

But as recently as May this year, a Canadian footballer called Stavros Katsantonis from the University of British Columbia was hit with a four-year ban after he returned levels of LGD-4033.

Jack said that on July 12, she was called to the room of coach Read More – Source

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