At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Summer McIntosh clinched three individual swimming gold medals and equaled a women’s record with four wins at the previous year’s world championships in Singapore. Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the Canadian athlete aims to claim five solo gold medals, a feat achieved only by swimming legend Michael Phelps during the 2008 Beijing Games.
During a recent flight to southern California, McIntosh was inspired when she spotted SoFi Stadium, the colossal high-tech football arena that will be transformed into the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, accommodating approximately 38,000 spectators. The 19-year-old from Toronto expressed her excitement about the upcoming games, envisioning her performance at the iconic venue.
Currently, McIntosh is preparing for the Pan Pacific championships in Irvine, California, a prestigious event featuring top swimming nations like Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, China, and Canada. The championships, which occur every four years, serve as a significant competition akin to the European championships happening concurrently in Paris.
The Pan Pacs commenced with the 10-kilometer open-water events along the Pacific coast in Long Beach, where Canadian swimmer Emma Finlin secured the top Canadian spot by finishing 13th in the women’s race. The main competition will kick off in Irvine, where McIntosh will lead a team of 42 Canadian athletes over four days.
Among the Canadian swimmers participating are Taylor Ruck, Sophie Angus, Oliver Dawson, Lorne Wingginton, Kylie Masse, and Josh Liendo. McIntosh, coached by renowned trainer Bob Bowman, will compete in four events, starting with the 200m freestyle and concluding with the 200m individual medley.
McIntosh made strategic choices in her event selection, focusing on her strengths and long-term goals. She holds world records and reigning world championships titles in her events, showcasing her exceptional talent and potential for success at the Pan Pacs and beyond.
At the championships, McIntosh will face formidable opponents like American star Katie Ledecky and Australian standout Lanni Pallister, setting the stage for thrilling matchups and intense competition. The event promises to be a showcase of world-class swimming talent, with athletes from various nations vying for victory and glory.
To watch all the action at the Pan Pacs, viewers can tune in live on the CBC Gem streaming app and CBC Sports website, with morning heats starting at 1 p.m. ET and finals at 10 p.m. ET each day. A detailed schedule with exact start times for the finals is available for fans to plan their viewing experience.