Scottish swimmer Katie Shanahan has said she rejected the chance to be considered for Love Island in order to prioritise her sport, before going on to win silver at the Commonwealth Games.
The 22-year-old, who was born in Glasgow, told BBC Scotland News that producers contacted her last year about the reality dating programme. Shanahan said she was interested, but chose to remain focused on training at Tollcross swimming centre.
She claimed silver in the 200m backstroke on the opening night of the Games last Friday, a performance that left her emotional and brought a wave of congratulatory messages.
Shanahan said she is a devoted viewer of Love Island and had watched every series. She added that she was approached alongside English swimmer Abbie Wood, but said swimming had to come first.
According to BBC News, the programme has also shown interest in other athletes, including Northern Ireland boxers Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock, who progressed through early auditions before stepping away as the Games approached.
Shanahan said she hoped her performance could encourage younger swimmers, recalling how watching Hannah Miley at the 2014 Games had inspired her. She said that if her swim motivated future athletes, she would feel she had achieved something important.
She also said support during a home Games had felt especially strong, and joked that her biggest challenge since winning silver had been finding time to reply to well-wishers.
