Q+A: Maggie Mac Neil reflects on swimming success, next steps

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Maggie Mac Neil closed the book last week on one of Canada’s best swimming careers and ranks as one of the most successful athletes in London sports history. The 24-year-old Banting secondary school grad overcame sport-induced asthma aggravated by chlorine to win Olympic and world titles with technical excellence, dedication and an astonishing finishing kick. Mac Neil, who took part in a pep rally Thursday at Banting, spoke with Free Press sports reporter Ryan Pyette. Her answers have been condensed.

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Q: When did you know it was time to retire?

A: I was going to continue until December (at LSU) because I knew I wanted to go to law school. (My retirement) was mainly due to the situation and I wasn’t able to train in Louisiana with my coach (Rick Bishop) anymore. Instead of trying to settle somewhere else for a couple of short months, I might as well be done and I’m doing my LSAT (law school admission test). I’m at that eight hours a day. It’s a five-hour class and I spend three to four hours in the morning doing homework. To be completely honest, I would not be able to do that and swim at the same time.

Q: Are you going to miss swimming at such an elite level?

A: I think it’s inevitable I will at some point. Ever since I made my decision, my mom (Susan) said I wouldn’t be a good parent if I didn’t tell you to think about it for a couple of days. I told her, ‘That’s fair, but I don’t think my answer is going to change’, and it didn’t. I’m not regretting it at all now. When you do something that’s such a part of your life and I’ve done this for 16 years, I think I’m going to miss parts of it. Certain things, I could not wait to get that paperwork filled out. Within two days, I was like I’m not drug testing anymore. This is the greatest thing ever. I’m going to miss travelling the world, representing Canada and seeing my friends from all over. I’m excited to get into what I do next.

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Q: You didn’t defend your Olympic title in the 100-metre butterfly. Can you put your finger on what happened?

A: It wasn’t an ideal year leading up to it. It mainly had to do with not doing a lot of racing. I had two or three meets before the Olympics since January. Normally in college, I have eight or nine. Regardless of the meet, it comes with a lot of pressure and stress. It was hard. I was the only pro at LSU. I’m used to doing my own thing, but it definitely makes it harder. Other than that, everything was according to plan. I trained so much harder. It’s always frustrating as an athlete because it’s always what you do on the day. Nothing else counts, really.

Q: How different were the Games in Paris after Tokyo?

A: We weren’t locked down so we could do whatever. I had 17 family members there and two high school friends came over for the very last relay. After (that race was done), I had dinner with my friends, my parents and my sister, and they took us on a boat tour on the Seine River. That was really fun. I headed off with my family to the south of France for a week. We rented a villa there and then went back to Paris for the closing ceremonies. I’m glad I did it.

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Q: How influential were your coaches and parents in your swim career?

A: Undeniable. Andrew (Craven) was amazing (with London Aquatic Club). We had a great conversation and had a little visit when I told him I retired. He coached me to my first junior national team, my first senior team, everything. But everything I accomplished after him – world title, Olympic title, world record, Commonwealth Games title, Pan Am title, NCAA title and record – that was with Rick (Bishop of Michigan, then LSU). My mom keeps thinking, ‘You seem OK, are you sure you’re not going to crack and get depressed?’ No, I’m good. I’m grateful my parents always made me focus on school first and swimming second because it’s shown I can succeed at both. Now, I have aspirations and a future I can focus on.

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Q: What do you want to do next?

A: Sport law, for sure. Law school is three years, then an articling year. I’m looking at applications in the fall. They’re not due until the beginning of next year. I’m looking at doing some internships in Europe. An Olympic gold medal shows great on a resume because it shows hard work, dedication, time management and all that stuff. But when it comes to skills they’re looking for like the workplace and life, I’m relatively inexperienced. We’ll see. I’m doing some (swim) clinics, I have one this weekend, some in December. I’m excited to give back to sport in a different way. I haven’t done a lot of them previously. That’s hopefully what the next year of my life looks like.

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Q: What are your immediate plans?

A: I want to go biking because I haven’t owned a bike in years. I want to climb more and try pickleball and get back playing tennis. All these fun activities, I have friends that are involved, so I can do that. I’ve been doing Pilates with my sister. If I decide to get back and swim, then I’ve given myself a five-year window to try new things.

Q: You rose to international swim stardom in 2019 at the worlds in South Korea. Can you believe how quickly it happened?

A: None of us really could. It’s crazy to think I was only on the Canadian senior national team for five years – four if you don’t count COVID (while swimming in her backyard). It’s crazy to think about how much I’ve done in that time. It’s been really remarkable that I’ve had so much support – especially from London, which I’m so grateful for and I love being from here. Whenever I get a chance to come back, I do. I go back to Banting and my elementary school frequently. From Canadians in general, it’s been a good run.

rpyette@postmedia.com

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