Summer McIntosh clinched her first gold medal at the Pan Pacific swimming competition by setting a championship record in the women’s 400-meter individual medley, outpacing Jenna Forrester of Australia in Irvine, California. The Toronto swimmer completed the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle in a time of 4 minutes and 28.01 seconds. Forrester secured the silver medal, finishing nearly three seconds behind in 4:31.50, while Agostina Hein from Argentina claimed the bronze with a time of 4:32.54.
Prior to McIntosh’s victory, American Elizabeth Beisel held the Pan Pacs record with a time of 4:31.99 since 2014. McIntosh expressed satisfaction with her performance, noting that while she believed she could have done better, she was pleased to represent Canada and secure the win.
After her win, McIntosh acknowledged the enthusiastic support from the crowd, particularly a group of young fans cheering her on during the Canadian national anthem. She emphasized the importance of inspiring others through her performances and expressed gratitude for being part of such an exciting event.
In another event, McIntosh contributed to Canada’s success in the women’s 4×200 freestyle relay, helping the team secure a bronze medal alongside her teammates. The Canadian relay team, led by Mary-Sophie Harvey, achieved a time of 7:52.74, trailing behind Australia and the United States.
McIntosh highlighted the joy of participating in relay races, emphasizing the team’s goal of maintaining a podium position leading up to the 2028 Olympics. The competition also featured notable performances from other Canadian swimmers, including Taylor Ruck and Alexanne Lepage, who delivered strong performances in their respective events.
Overall, McIntosh’s stellar performance and Canada’s success in various events showcased the team’s talent and determination at the prestigious Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California.