Canada's Maggie Mac Neil wins record-setting gold in 100m butterfly at World Cup in Toronto
CBC
Dozens of children leaned over the gallery railing at Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, shouting to their swimming heroes, begging for an autograph.
"Maggie!" "Kylie!" "Penny!" "Summer!" "Sydney!"
The chorus of piping young voices was at its loudest as Maggie Mac Neil of London, Ont., won the women's 100-metre butterfly in 54.78 seconds on Sunday to set a World Cup record and break her own Canadian record.
The reigning Olympic and world short-course champion also finished the weekend as the overall points winner, with 58.5 points.
It marked the third victory of the meet for Mac Neil after topping the podium in the 50m backstroke on Friday and the 50m butterfly on Saturday.
"It makes me so proud," said the 22-year-old Mac Neil on the pool's deck as children called to her. "I'm still kind of getting used to my role, but I'm hoping I'm doing everyone proud.
"It means so much to have their support, and it's been great to have them cheering in the crowd this weekend."
WATCH | Mac Neil captures 100m butterfly gold:
Sweden's Louise Hansson (55.02) and Brazil's Giovanna Tomanik Diamante (57.41) rounded out the podium in the women's 100-metre butterfly.
Katerine Savard (57.68) of Pont-Rouge, Que., was fourth.
Canada finished with five golds, nine silvers and seven bronze at the World Cup, second only to the United States.
American Beata Nelson (2:00.50) took gold in the women's 200-metre backstroke, with Canadians taking the next three spots.
Kylie Masse of LaSalle, Ont., earned silver in 2:02.21, Toronto's Summer McIntosh (2:02.85) took bronze, and Calgary's Ingrid Wilm finished just off the podium in 2:02.94.
Masse is now fourth in the season's overall women's rankings. She hopes the event would inspire young kids to pursue their dreams and see what they can achieve in swimming.
