After only the second major swimming event of the 2023-2024 competition year, London's Maggie Mac Neil has already made the history books.
The 23-year-old will leave the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games having earned seven medals. This includes five gold, one silver, and one bronze.
"I'm really stoked with the results, especially for October, and obviously there's a lot to work towards but I'm really pleased with that." she said.
Mac Neil is the only Canadian athlete across all sports to win five golds at a single Pan Am Games. Her total also makes her the winningest female swimmer of all time at the Pan Am Games.
"It's so special and obviously there was pressure on myself to do well. But I also wanted to represent Panam Sports well as they chose me (to be a Games Ambassador) originally back a year ago so I definitely wanted to do them proud, and obviously Canada as well," she said.
Mac Neil won three of the gold medals in individual races: the 100-m butterfly, 100-m freestyle, and 50-m freestyle. The other two came alongside Danielle Hanus, Rachel Nicol, and Mary-Sophie Harvey in the women's 4x100 medley relay and with Harvey, Brooklyn Douthwright, and Katerine Savard in the women's 4x100 freestyle relay.
Mac Neil admitted that one of her favourite wins was the 4x100 freestyle relay on the first day of competition. "I think it set the tone for everyone," she said.
She added that closing out her medal count with the 4x100 medley relay was particularly tough "I think that just shows our team spirit and our grit to be able to pull something out like that on the last night when we're all tired and hungry."
Harvey is also bringing home seven medals from the 2023 Pan Ams, including three gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Mac Neil's medals follow a silver and bronze at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. The 2024 World Aquatics Championships take place in Doha in February, with the Paris Olympics just around the corner.
