Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh has successfully recovered from an illness that kept her away from the pool, stating that she is now “feeling great” following a challenging two-week period. McIntosh had to pull out of the World Cup tour due to falling ill just before the first event in Carmel, Ind.
In an interview with CBC Sports, McIntosh revealed that she was struck by a severe headache two days before the World Cup began, leading to a prolonged search for a diagnosis. Despite multiple visits to the emergency room and various tests, the exact cause of her illness remained elusive. After undergoing a lumbar puncture to test for viral meningitis, McIntosh encountered complications that forced her into over a week of bed rest, delaying her return to the pool.
Expressing her disappointment at missing out on the World Cup competitions, especially in front of a home crowd in Toronto, McIntosh emphasized her eagerness to gradually rebuild her strength post-illness and lumbar puncture complications. She highlighted her excitement at resuming training in Austin, Texas, under renowned coach Bob Bowman, acknowledging the talented training group she is part of, including notable swimmers like Leon Marchand and Regan Smith.
Looking ahead, McIntosh plans to participate in the upcoming U.S. Open in December in Austin. Despite the setbacks, she remains optimistic and motivated by the supportive environment and competitive spirit within her training group. The young swimmer also shared her enthusiasm for cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays during the World Series, engaging in the excitement with her father while closely following the games.