'The room just erupted': Maggie Mac Neil's family reacts to gold medal
Maggie Mac Neil has become a household name, quite literally overnight, after winning Canada’s first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Women’s 100 metre butterfly race.
Her family recalls watching the event while on vacation in Kincardine, Ont.
“The room just erupted,” Mac Neil’s mother, Susan McNair, said in an interview with CTV News London.
At first, they were unsure if Mac Neil was going to place because of her start to the race, but they were pleasantly surprised when she did.
Speaking during a press conference at the Olympic Games, Mac Neil said she was also surprised with the outcome.
“When I touched the wall I heard the announcer say my name so I thought, ‘Oh I must have done something good,’ and then I’ve gotten better at squinting really hard to see the score board so I could kind of see that I had touched first so that was really exciting.”
Angela Schneider, director of the International Centre for Olympic Studies and an Olympic silver medallist in rowing says this fast rise to fame will have a life-changing impact on Mac Neil and those around her.
“Not all athletes have a great selection of who they can choose as a sponsor whereas once you win a gold medal, that opportunity gives you a little more room for selection,” said Schneider.
She says it’s likely Mac Neil will be presented with a bunch of brand new sponsorship opportunities and endorsements, but it will be important that she only says yes to the ones that are the best fit for her.
The Mac Neil family says they have already started to see the effects of having an Olympic champion in the family and the spotlight it brings -- as both the athlete and her family have been talking to media all day.
“You know it’ll be interesting to know and to learn more. I’ve connected with one of the other mothers who has an Olympian child who’s medalled before and I think people like that will be helpful to guide us as well,” said McNair.
She adds that it is uncertain if her daughter will try for the 2024 Olympics in Paris or if she is open to brand endorsements at this time.
As an Olympic champion herself, Schneider encourages the new star to use her platform to empower other young women to pursue their passion sports.
“It’s an important responsibility for the athlete to support initiatives that try to generate equity for female athletes in this kind of situation."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.