Summer McIntosh made her big appearance in the world of swimming at no less than the Olympic Games, when in Tokyo 2020 she came very close to the podium when she was only 14 years old. From there, the Canadian only confirmed her talent and will arrive in Paris 2024 as one of the great attractions. And with a new world record.
In the qualifiers being held in Canada for the Olympic Games, McIntosh set a new record in the 400 medleys by winning with a time of 4:24.38 and thus breaking the record she had set in 2023 with 4:25.87, at the same Toronto’s Pan Am Sports Centre. In addition, it also has the best fourth record in the distance with 4:27.11.
“I was really focusing on having fun with the race and taking it 100 meters at a time because it’s quite a mentally challenging race... I wasn’t really focused on time. I mean, obviously, I’m very grateful that I was able to break my world record,” Summer said after the world record.
“With so many Canadians in the stands, I can feel their support and hear them cheer during my career and it really keeps me going. I mean, if they weren’t there, I don’t think I would have the world record of 4:25 in first place, let alone this one tonight. Every time I get the chance to race in front of a large crowd, I think it really gives me a boost. Just that full adrenaline rush is incredible,” he added.
In these Canadian Trials, McIntosh had already won the 400 freestyle with 3:59.06, almost three seconds ahead of the time (3:56.08) that had allowed him to reach the world record until the Australian Ariarne Titmus dropped it at the Fukuoka World Cup with 3:55.38. The 17-year-old also won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:53.69, which was her second best personal record and 12th in history.
McIntosh will also seek to qualify for the 200 medleys and 200 butterflies, something he should achieve with comfort, so he can at least aim to participate in five events in Paris 2024, to which he could also add some relief. She will not be in the 800 freestyle, a distance in which the American Katie Ledecky seems to have no rivals.
The Toronto-born woman has accumulated eight World Cup medals in her short career, four of those gold medals (200 butterflies and 400 medleys in Budapest 2022 and Fukuoka 2023), and will now seek an Olympic title in Paris.
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