Get to Know Olympic Gold Medalist Maggie Mac Neil with Podium Potpourri

Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

Swimming World takes a get-to-know-you look with Olympic medalists in our new Podium Potpourri series in 2022. First up is Maggie Mac Neil. She is an Olympic gold medalist for Canada, world champion, world-record holder, NCAA champion and NCAA-record holder.

What is your pump up song before you get behind the blocks, and what is it about the song that speaks to you?

Maggie Mac Neil: I don’t really listen to music right behind the blocks, as when I was younger, I preferred to talk to my friends to calm my nerves so I never got into it. However, as of late, I have particularly enjoyed the Swim Canada pre-pool playlist, which consists of classics from all different time periods, and gets us all hyped up to swim fast!

What is another sport you played at a younger age? What memories stand out?

Maggie Mac Neil: Like most kids, I tried some of everything, from ski lessons, to gymnastics, to soccer. In particular, I enjoyed volleyball and soccer the most during elementary school gym classes. In fact, the memory that stands out the most to me was when I tried out for the intramural 5-alive soccer team in grade 5, so I was about 10 or 11. With some of my closest friends, some of whom played soccer seriously, we won the tournament! It was so exciting for me to experience what it was like being a part of a team, until I arrived at Michigan.

What was it that drew you to Michigan?

Maggie Mac Neil: The two things I looked for in a school were great academics and athletics. I definitely made the best decision when it came to that looking back on it. The third factor that was almost just as important to me, which was location. I am a real homebody, so I wanted to stay fairly close to home. With only a 2.5 hour drive from Ann Arbor to London, Ontario, I like to say I live in two places at once, and would spend a weekend at home as close to monthly as possible. However, with COVID I haven’t been able to be home as much as I would like to be, but I am glad I made the decision I did, as I was not ready to be far from home at that point in my life.

What’s your favorite movie? Why?

Maggie Mac Neil: Ever since my grade 11 law class, Erin Brockovich starring Julia Roberts has been my favourite movie. As I am interested in possibly pursuing law school I was particularly interested in that aspect, but additionally, Julia Roberts is such a great actor who portrays the real story of a woman overcoming struggle through passion and hard work. She’s also got some great one-liners.

Compare yourself to a superhero. Which one and why?

Maggie Mac Neil: Thanks to one of my school friends, I have recently gotten pulled into the Marvel universe. I would say my favourite is the Hulk. When he is Dr. Banner, we are similar in that we can be calm, caring, and intelligent, but when we are “in Hulk mode” that is when I get things done. I would relate my competition mode to the Hulk.

Where do you keep your medals?

Maggie Mac Neil: They are usually where I am. I almost always have them on me if I am at home or in public, as people love to wear and hold them. I enjoy inspiring others, especially when I went back to visit my elementary and high school during Thanksgiving break. Eventually, I hope to get a fireproof safe to put them in for long-term storage.

What went through your mind on the podium in Tokyo?

Maggie Mac Neil: It is all kind of a blur now, however, I remember just trying to take the moment in, as that was something I had been dreaming of since I was little. It was also hard, because I wish my family was there to witness it in person, but I knew they were watching it on TV.

What was it like seeing so much Olympic success from Canada?

Maggie Mac Neil: It is amazing, but I also think it’s due — 5/7 of Canada’s gold medals came from London, Ontario, so that in itself is really extraordinary, but it shows that we can contend with the rest of the world, and have a lot to offer, not only in the winter Olympics, but also in the summer Olympics. This Olympics was our highest medal count, in a non-boycotted olympics, so it was an honour to be apart of that history, and see all of the hard work and overcoming obstacles that COVID presented pay off.

What was it like seeing college teammates compete and medals for other countries?

Maggie Mac Neil: It is always comforting to see some other familiar faces beyond Team Canada, in the form of other Wolverines. What stood out to me the most was at the recently concluded SC World Championships in Abu Dhabi, was watching Felix Aubock’s 400m freestyle win. First of all, it is huge for swimming in Austria, but mainly because he missed out on his final NCAA Championships in 2020 and didn’t get to see what he could accomplish. I wouldn’t say it was unexpected, with how he has been improving over the last few years, but it was great to see him get that World Champion title.

What is your go-to food to celebrate with after a big meet and what do you look forward to most about that?

Maggie Mac Neil: My go-to post-meet meal is always a burger and fries. When I started competing when I was 8, on the way home from meets (mainly away meets), my dad and I would always stop for A&W on the way home. This has remained a tradition, and reminds me of how far I have come. And of course, if I ever get DQ’d, a trip to Dairy Queen is also a must.

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