Summer McIntosh, an 18-year-old swimmer from Toronto, is gearing up for the world aquatics championships in Singapore with a new challenge in mind. Having previously excelled in four events at the Paris Olympics, winning three gold and one silver medal, McIntosh is now aiming to dominate in five events, including the 800 freestyle.
Her decision to add the 800 freestyle to her repertoire this year has injected fresh motivation into her training. McIntosh, who already holds eight world championship medals, expressed excitement about the opportunity to push her limits by competing in five events at the world level for the first time.
One of McIntosh’s motivations for including the 800 freestyle in her schedule was the prospect of facing off against American swimmer Katie Ledecky, a formidable competitor with multiple Olympic gold medals and a world record in the event. By strategically selecting the 800 freestyle over other options like the 200 freestyle or backstroke, McIntosh also aimed to optimize her competition schedule, minimizing the number of sessions required.
Having recently broken three world records at the Canadian swim trials, McIntosh is looking ahead to the world championships with a focus on improving her performance further. Emphasizing her commitment to continuous improvement and the thrill of uncertain outcomes in competitions, McIntosh is determined to achieve her goals at the upcoming championships.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of her coach, Fred Vergnoux, in her success, McIntosh praised his influence in elevating her performance to new heights. While currently training in Antibes, France, McIntosh plans to transition to Austin, Texas, to train under the guidance of renowned coach Bob Bowman, known for his work with legendary swimmer Michael Phelps.
In her pursuit of victory, McIntosh remains steadfast in her primary objective of winning races, prioritizing performance over records. With a strong training regimen and unwavering dedication, McIntosh is poised to make a significant impact at the world aquatics championships in Singapore.