‘I miss the quiet of the water’: Retired swimmer Maggie Mac Neil inducted into London Sports Hall of Fame

Olympic champion swimmer Maggie Mac Neil is taking a break from her studies in London, England to return home for a special honour.

Mac Neil is among the London Sports Hall of Fame (LSHOF) class of 2025.

“I didn’t expect it so soon,” Mac Neil told CTV News when asked her reaction to the induction.

“I think just because I’ve only been retired for a year. I’m glad that it worked out with my reading week, and that I could be home for it.”

Mac Neil will have parents and sister attending the ceremony, keeping it “more intimate.”

After establishing herself as one of Canada’s most accomplished swimmers, the three-time Olympic Medallist announced her retirement on Sept. 26, 2024.

She misses being in the pool.

“I wish I could swim a little bit more than I have been, but hopefully a little bit more soon,” said Mac Neil.

“I’ve been home swimming with the Masters group, which has been really fun but as for competition, nothing. I miss the quiet of the water. It’s something that I’ve always kind of just gone back to. I was going to wait five years before I ever got in a pool again, but I couldn’t wait that long.”

Studying law, Mac Neil has doing a lot of readings and enjoying the change of pace from competitive swimming. She likely wants to get into Sport Law at some point, but still is determining her future path.

Mac Neil goes into the LSHOF along with five others.

This year’s inductees are:

• Jeff Carter – National Hockey League All-Star and Olympic Gold Medal Winner
• Maggie Mac Neil – Olympic and world champion swimmer
• Jennifer Ogg – world champion boxer
• Darda Sales – multi-sport champion Paralympian
• David Willsie – multiple Paralympics wheelchair rugby winner
• Murray Young – “Mr. London Rugby”

The event has close to 250 tickets sold and there were still some available.

“it’s really just a social to try and meet and greet and welcome the inductees into the hall,” said Jay Minielly, chairperson of the LSHOF.

“We’ll have videos and introductions of all the inductees, plus the Spirit of Sport winners, which are the volunteers and administrators of the year, put forth by the city and the Board of Education. It’s just to support the athletes and past inductees. We’ve got upwards of 20 per cent of our past athletes attending.”

The LSHOF – based out of Canada Life Place - was created in 2002.

“The good candidates continue coming,” said Minielly.

“We’ve got a lot of work coming down the pipeline. Damian (Warner) is the biggest name coming, but a lot of hockey players and a lot of local talent that is still going to keep the hall going for a long time.”