‘Gorgeous’ Commonwealth Games star wins silver after turning down Love Island provide

A Commonwealth Games star is a huge fan of the ITV reality show Love Island but rejected an offer to go on the hit dating contest to focus on winning medals

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Katie Shanahan rejected an offer from Love Island to focus on her swimming career.

The Glasgow star has revealed producers of the popular ITV dating programme contacted her before last year’s series and asked whether she’d fancy entering the renowned Mallorca villa. Shanahan’s Instagram page may have caught the show’s makers’ eyes.

As well as plenty of swimming-related snaps, the 22-year-old also likes to share images from her private life, including ones of her looking glam on a night out. One image in particular went down well with her 11,500 followers, with some describing her as “gorgeuous” and “stunning” in the replies.

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Love Island fanatic Shanahan confessed was certainly tempted by the offer before deciding to focus on the pool. She told BBC Scotland News: “I’m the biggest Love Island fan ever, I’ve watched every season.

“Last year, the producers asked me and [fellow swimmer] Abbie Wood if we would be interested in doing it. I couldn’t go on though, because of focusing on the swimming. I was a bit tempted but the swimming had to come first.”

Her decision has paid off. Rather than jetting off to Casa Amor, Shanahan remained in training at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Last Friday, she won silver in the women’s 200m breaststroke on the first night of competition at the Commonwealth Games. The emotional star was spotted battling back tears after securing her spot on the podium in her home city.

Love Island has sought to recruit athletes in recent years. Northern Ireland boxers Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock both progressed through the initial audition rounds before withdrawing to focus on the Commonwealth Games, while numerous footballers have also featured on the show.

Despite her success, Shanahan hasn’t dismissed the possibility of trading the swimming lanes for the villa someday. When quizzed about a potential future appearance, she responded: “Who knows in the future?”

For now, she hopes her displays can motivate the next generation in the same manner that watching Scottish swimming legend Hannah Miley at the 2014 Commonwealth Games motivated her.

Shanahan said: “I’ve always said that if I can inspire the next generation of athletes coming through, then my job has been done.

“I know after 2014 watching Hannah I felt inspired, and it would be nice to think that maybe there’s some younger girls watching this time and maybe they’ll get into swimming from it.”

Shanahan has been taken aback by the support she has received from family, friends and fans, adding: “I’m so grateful for the support. With it being a home Games, it feels like that support has been ramped up a bit, which is so nice to experience.”