Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh has set her sights on achieving five individual gold medals at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in two years. Her preparation over the past year has been dedicated to this ambitious goal. The Pan Pacific swimming championships, taking place in the same city where she aims to shine in 2028, will provide an initial gauge of her progress.
Arriving for the competition, McIntosh, who is soon turning 20, expressed her excitement and determination for the upcoming Games. Reflecting on flying over the stadium where the Olympics will be held, she felt a surge of inspiration. McIntosh emphasized the significance of being in California and the state where the Olympics are scheduled to take place.
Having secured three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, McIntosh has become a star in the swimming world. She currently holds four individual long-course world records in various disciplines. Her recent achievement of breaking the women’s 200m butterfly world record at the Canadian trials in Montreal was particularly remarkable, as it shattered a record that had stood since 2009.
Following her record-breaking performance, McIntosh faced a setback when she had to withdraw from the trials due to illness. After a period of recovery, she is now back in top form and ready for the Pan Pacific championships. McIntosh expressed the challenges she faced post-record-breaking swim and her determination to bounce back quickly for the upcoming competition.
Competing in the Pan Pacs for the first time, McIntosh is part of the Canadian team at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine, California. This event marks her debut under the coaching of Bob Bowman, a renowned U.S. coach she joined forces with last year.
McIntosh will kick off her Pan Pacs campaign with the 200m freestyle event, opting not to compete in the 200m butterfly on the same night. Her participation in the 200m freestyle at an international level after the 2023 world championships signals her eagerness to test her skills against the world’s best swimmers.
Anticipation is high as McIntosh looks forward to showcasing her talent and aiming for peak performance at the Pan Pacific competition. With both her and coach Bowman targeting this event as a pinnacle in their season, McIntosh is poised to impress once again in the pool.
