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Shall We Gather: Madeline Macneil's Journey to Olympic Glory

Thomas Powell

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Shall We Gather

by Madeline MacNeil

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9409 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	52 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

From Humble Beginnings

Madeline Macneil was born on March 13, 2000, in London, Ontario, Canada. She began swimming at a young age, inspired by her older brother, Michael, who was a competitive swimmer himself. Madeline quickly developed a passion for the sport and began to excel in the pool.

At the age of 14, Madeline made her international debut at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships. She finished fifth in the 100m butterfly, a remarkable achievement for such a young swimmer. Two years later, she competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, becoming the youngest Canadian swimmer to compete at the Games since 1972.

Rising Star

After her Olympic debut, Madeline's career began to take off. She won her first major international medal at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, taking bronze in the 100m butterfly. She followed this up with a gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In 2019, Madeline made history by becoming the first Canadian woman to win a world championship title in the 100m butterfly. She also won a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly, further cementing her status as one of the top swimmers in the world.

Tokyo 2020

The 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Madeline remained focused on her training throughout the challenging year and entered the Games with high hopes.

In Tokyo, Madeline swam the butterfly leg of the 4x100m freestyle relay. The Canadian team finished fourth, just missing out on a medal. However, Madeline's individual performance in the 100m butterfly was even more impressive.

In a thrilling final, Madeline surged ahead in the final meters to win the gold medal in a time of 55.59 seconds. She became the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming since 1968. Madeline's victory was a testament to her hard work, determination, and resilience.

Legacy

Madeline Macneil is a true inspiration to swimmers and athletes around the world. Her journey to Olympic gold is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. She is a role model for young swimmers and a shining example of what can be achieved with unwavering determination.

As Madeline continues her swimming career, she will undoubtedly achieve even greater heights. She is a rising star in the sport and a future legend in the making.