Shayna Jack breaks down in tears on I'm A Celebrity after receiving shock news: 'I never thought I would get to this point'

Shayna Jack was overcome with emotion on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! on Sunday after learning she had been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

In a touching moment aired on the show, fellow celebrity campmate Nicky Buckley delivered the surprise news by reading a heartfelt letter from home.

The letter revealed that the 26-year-old Queensland athlete was among this year's recipients.

Fighting back tears, Shayna expressed her gratitude in a confessional interview, saying, 'I promise you these are tears of happiness.'

She was later seen being embraced by her fellow campmates, who congratulated her on the incredible achievement.

'I never thought I would get to a point where I'd receive such an honourable award,' Jack shared.

'In so many moments in my life, you're taught to move on quickly – from triumphs, races, or competitions – without pausing to celebrate. This is probably the first time I've received something and felt immediate joy and celebration.'

The recognition marked a significant milestone in Jack's tumultuous journey, which saw her rise above a doping scandal in 2019 that threatened to end her swimming career.

At just 20 years old, Jack was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for the anabolic agent Ligandrol, which she has always maintained was consumed unintentionally.

The legal battle that followed came at a heavy price – emotionally and financially – with Jack spending $180,000 to clear her name.

During the show, she opened up about the profound impact the ordeal had on her and her partner, Kookaburras hockey player Joel Rintala.

Speaking candidly to her campmates, Jack revealed how Rintala feared for her well-being during her darkest days. 

'Some nights I was in a bad place,' she admitted.

'He said those nights were the most fearful. He'd speed home because he didn't know if he'd walk in and find something he couldn't cope with – if I'd done something I'd eternally regret.'

Jack also broke down during a confessional in the show, explaining why it was important to open up about her struggles. 

'It's about using the people around me to continue to talk about it and face those difficulties, instead of letting it have so much power over me,' she said.

'The more I take it off my chest and off my heart, the more I can try to move forward with my life and not feel this huge aspect of my life holding me back.'

In August, Shayna faced a devastating blow at the 2024 Paris Olympics as she came last in the 50m freestyle final in France.

She was beaten by her teammate Meg Harrison, who took silver behind the all-conquering Sarah Sjostrom.

Shayna has had to fight back from the abyss after testing positive for Ligandrol, a banned substance that can help repair and build muscles. 

She was banned for four years but it was overturned when the positive test was deemed to have resulted from contamination.

Jack has long maintained her innocence and has had to battle mental demons to return to the pinnacle of the sport. 

But after her Paris blow, Shayna insisted she is still as hungry as ever to be competing for Australia at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

'I definitely have that motivation to come back in four years' time,' she said.

'This is just the start for me. This is my redemption chapter and hopefully there's more to come and there's more of a story to tell.

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! continues Monday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.