Former LSU swimmer Maggie Mac Neil at the LSU Natatorium in March. Even for an Olympic champion like former LSU All-American Maggie Mac Neil, there are butterflies in the first butterfly race of a competition. “Regardless of whether it’s a provincial or national or international meet, the first race is always the most nerve wracking,” Mac Neil said Saturday after her heat in the Olympic 100-meter butterfly at Paris La Defense Arena.
“I haven’t raced in a while, so it was just kind of seeing where I’m at.” Where the Canadian swimmer is at is in the semifinals after finishing second in her heat to fellow medal hopeful Torri Huske of the United States. Mac Neil swam in 57 seconds flat to Huske’s time of 56.
72. The two easily advanced with the third and seventh fastest times out of all four heats combined. The top 16 swimmers moved on to Saturday night’s semifinals, which begin at 1:30 p.
m. CDT. The top eight swimmers Saturday night advance to the final at 1:45 p.
m. CDT Sunday. Mac Neil, who won the 100 fly in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, is trying to become the first swimmer ever to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in this event.
She’s approaching that momentous attempt at history by trying not to put pressure on herself. “The 100 fly is one of the most competitive events and one a lot of people look forward to,” Mac Neil said. “I’m going to do my best and just have fun.
That’s my goal for the Games.” Two LSU men's swimmers — Jovan Lek.