Summer McIntosh Pursues Five Gold Medals at World Championships

Summer McIntosh is setting her sights on winning five gold medals at the world swimming championships in Singapore, a significant stepping stone toward the 2028 Olympics. The 18-year-old Canadian swimmer has generated excitement after breaking three world records in June, and she is prepared for fierce competition in this prestigious event.

The world championships, which kick off on September 30, 2023, will be the most prominent swimming meet since the last Olympics. It serves as a crucial platform for both seasoned athletes and newcomers aiming to qualify for the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles. McIntosh’s schedule is particularly demanding; she will compete in five individual events, including preliminaries and relays, potentially swimming up to 15 races over eight days.

“This is a very challenging schedule she’s set for herself,” said Iain McDonald, Canada’s head coach, in an interview with The Associated Press. McIntosh’s recent performance has been exceptional, having set three world records in just five days during the national trials. She lowered her own record in the 400-meter individual medley to 4 minutes, 23.65 seconds, and established new records in the 200 IM (2:05.70) and the 400 freestyle (3:54.18).

She is also close to breaking the 200 butterfly record, which has stood since 2009, and is within striking distance of the 800 freestyle record set by American swimmer Katie Ledecky just last month. “She’s such a versatile athlete; it’s kind of tough to nail down what her best events are,” McDonald noted.

On the opening day of the championships, McIntosh will be in the spotlight as she competes in the 400 freestyle final, followed by the 200 IM semifinal just 30 minutes later. Although she holds the world record in the 400 free, she has not yet secured a gold medal in that event at either the Olympics or the world championships. With renewed confidence in her training under coach Fred Vergnoux, she feels ready to tackle this challenge.

“I’m super pumped for the 400 freestyle, and I’m really excited to see how I manage doing the double,” McIntosh told Canadian broadcaster CBC. She credits Vergnoux for improving her endurance and focusing on distance events, stating, “I think going into past big meets, I haven’t had the confidence in my training and my freestyle in general — technique-wise and endurance-wise — that I have now.”

The competition will be tough, particularly against Ledecky, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics. Ledecky, who won gold in the 800 freestyle at those Games, set the world record for that event this year at 8:04.12. McIntosh’s personal best in the 800 is 8:05.07, making it one of the most anticipated races of the championships.

Greg Meehan, the U.S. team director, commented on Ledecky’s relentless pursuit of excellence. “There are always threats coming at you because you’ve set yourself to be the gold standard,” he stated. While McIntosh is expected to excel in both IM races and the 200 butterfly, she will not compete in the 1,500 freestyle, Ledecky’s strongest event, where she holds the world record.

Another intriguing competitor to watch is Yu Zidi, a remarkable 12-year-old swimmer from China. Yu has qualified in the 200 and 400 IMs and the 200 butterfly. Her record-setting performances make her a potential medal contender. Notably, her time of 2:10.63 in the 200 IM is the fastest ever recorded by a swimmer aged 12, and she has also posted impressive times in the 200 butterfly and 400 IM.

“There is always somebody coming up next,” McDonald remarked, hinting at the bright future of young talents like Yu.

As McIntosh embarks on this challenging journey in Singapore, all eyes will be on her as she aims for gold and prepares for the road to the 2028 Olympics. The world championships not only serve as a test of her skills but also a glimpse into the future of competitive swimming.