Maggie MacNeil from London turns golden again – London | The Canadian News

The Canadian record in the women’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay fell Thursday at the 2021 FINA World Swimming Championships when Canada captured gold in the event.

Maggie MacNeil from London, Ontario, Kayla Sanchez from Scarborough, Ontario, Katerine Savard, Pont-Rouge, Que., And Rebecca Smith from Red Deer, Alta., Plowed through the waves and twists of the 25m pool in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in a time of 3: 28.52.

MacNeil is not far from winning gold in the 100m butterfly at the Tokyo Olympics, where he also added a silver and a bronze in two relay events and was quick to keep this latest achievement high.

“This one was so special because I was able to do it with my other teammates and singing the national anthem together was amazing,” MacNeil said.

There they stood at the top of the podium after four strong individual stages.

“I swam the second leg,” MacNeil described. “Usually I have to go first when I’m in school (in Michigan), so I was able to do a relay kick that was much slower than I thought it was going to be. I haven’t swam a short-distance freestyle race in four years. But overall this was good. Technically it worked out well. “

MacNeil credited Canada with the underwater ability of all who swim

“For someone like me, I like turns and walls,” MacNeil said. “All the girls on the relay teams are good underwater, so we wouldn’t have won without that.”

The 4 x 100m is the first of the few events for the former London Aquatic Club member.

“Originally I think I calculated 20 swims in six days when we got to the competition,” MacNeil smiled. “I think I have reduced it to rest a little more. My schedule is a little smaller now, but it’s a bit heavy. “

Winning gold just added to an already huge week for MacNeil. On December 14, he announced that he had signed an endorsement deal with Speedo.

“The new NCAA rules have allowed us to do that and I love Speedo and have used it for as long as I can remember so I’m really excited to be part of their team,” MacNeil explained. “It’s a good stepping stone and that’s what we like to hear as we evolve in the sport.”

MacNeil can’t take a higher step than she and her teammates did in the 4 x 100m, but her goal will be to return to the top of the podium at the World Swimming Championships until December 21.