Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh has set her sights on a remarkable achievement at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in two years: clinching five individual gold medals. Her preparation over the past year has been solely dedicated to this ambitious goal. The Pan Pacific swimming championships, commencing this week in the same city where she aims to shine in 2028, will provide an initial gauge of her progress.
Despite approaching her 20th birthday next week, McIntosh, a rising star in the sport, expressed her excitement and determination for the upcoming Games. Flying into California for the championships, she was overwhelmed by the sight of the stadium, evoking a sense of anticipation for her future endeavors. Reflecting on her aspirations, McIntosh shared, “Every day I think about L.A. and I’m so excited for it. So to be in California I think is really special. Even just being in the state that the Olympics will be I think is really important.”
McIntosh, who claimed three gold medals at the recent Paris Olympics, has ascended to superstardom in swimming. Notably, she currently holds four individual long-course world records in the 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m freestyle, and 400m individual medley. Her most recent record-breaking feat, in the 200m butterfly event at the Canadian trials in Montreal, was particularly remarkable as she shattered a women’s world record that had stood since 2009.
Following her exceptional performance at the trials, McIntosh faced a setback due to illness, prompting her withdrawal from the competition. However, after a period of recovery, she is now back in top form and fully focused on the Pan Pacific championships. This event marks her first major international competition under the guidance of renowned coach Bob Bowman, with whom she partnered in September last year.
McIntosh’s event lineup at the championships includes the 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 400m freestyle, and 400m individual medley. Notably, she has opted out of the 200m butterfly on the same night. Expressing her eagerness for the competition, McIntosh emphasized her excitement to compete against the world’s best swimmers and her readiness to take on the challenging schedule of back-to-back sessions.
Acknowledging the uncertainties of her performance in the 200m freestyle event, McIntosh remains open to the possibility of achieving a world record. With both her and coach Bowman aiming to peak at the Pan Pacs, expectations are high for McIntosh to deliver another spectacular display in the pool. Looking ahead, McIntosh anticipates a memorable experience at the championships and views it as a crucial step in her journey towards the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles.
