Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh has set her sights on achieving five individual gold medals at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in two years. Her preparations over the past year have been specifically aimed at this goal. The Pan Pacific swimming championships, taking place in the same city where she aims to excel in 2028, will provide an initial assessment of her progress.
Upon arriving for the championships, McIntosh, who will turn 20 next week, expressed her excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Games. She described the surreal moment of flying over the stadium in Los Angeles, envisioning her future performances there. McIntosh emphasized the significance of being in California, the state where the Olympics will be held.
Having secured three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, McIntosh has become a standout figure in the swimming world. She currently holds four individual long-course world records in various events, including the 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle. Notably, she recently broke the women’s 200m butterfly world record at the Canadian trials in Montreal.
Following her record-breaking achievement, McIntosh unfortunately had to withdraw from the trials due to illness. Despite this setback, she has fully recovered and is now focused on the Pan Pacific championships. She highlighted the importance of swiftly regaining her health to prepare 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 tournament holds a special significance as the 2022 edition was canceled due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the guidance of renowned coach Bob Bowman, McIntosh is set to showcase her talents in multiple events at the championships.
McIntosh will kick off her campaign with the 200m freestyle event, opting out of the 200m butterfly on the same night. She expressed enthusiasm for the challenges ahead and her readiness to compete against the world’s best swimmers. McIntosh remains optimistic about her performances and is eager to see how she will fare in the competition.
Throughout the season, McIntosh and Coach Bowman have focused on peaking at the Pan Pacs, aiming to deliver exceptional performances. With high expectations and a positive mindset, McIntosh is poised to make a mark at the championships and set the stage for her future endeavors leading up to the Los Angeles Olympics.