Emerging swimmer Jamie Jack, 22, has made headlines by achieving a personal best in the 50-metre freestyle at the US summer championships in Irvine, California, clocking 21.63 seconds. With this impressive time, he has ascended to become the fifth-fastest Australian in history for this event, overtaking dual Olympian Isaac Cooper.
Jack’s outstanding performance marks him as one of only four Australians to swim quicker than his current best time, alongside renowned swimmers Cameron McEvoy, Ashley Callus, and James Magnussen. Notably, Jamie outpaced American swimming star Caeleb Dressel, the golden medallist from the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, who finished in third place with a time of 21.94 seconds.
Despite his victory, Jamie’s recent bid to qualify for the Singapore world championships did not go as planned. At the Australian trials in June, he placed fifth in the 50m freestyle and seventh in the 100m freestyle, with times of 21.84 and 48.75 seconds, respectively. His performance of 21.63 seconds during the summer championships would have qualified him for a spot at the world titles, but in Adelaide, it was not enough to secure his entry into the national team.
Looking forward, Jamie Jack is working under a four-year plan aimed at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with aspirations to improve his 50m freestyle time by a tenth of a second annually, aiming ultimately for a 21.20 finish. His older sister, Shayna Jack, an accomplished swimmer herself and member of the gold-winning women’s 4x100m relay team at the Paris Olympics, shares a strong bond with him. She has expressed her hopes of witnessing his achievements, whether it be joining a national team or simply enjoying the sport.
Throughout her own challenging experiences in the swimming world, Shayna has been a significant source of support for Jamie, encouraging him to persist despite the pressures of elite competition. Her words resonated with him during her struggle with the sport’s complexities, helping Jamie reaffirm his passion for swimming.
With ambitious goals and familial support, Jamie Jack continues to rise in the competitive swimming arena, showcasing not only his talent but also the dedication required to excel at the highest level.