Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh, who clinched three individual gold medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and matched the women’s record with four golds at last year’s world championships in Singapore, is now eyeing an even grander achievement at the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
McIntosh aims to secure five solo gold medals, a feat only achieved in Olympic history by the legendary Michael Phelps during his remarkable eight-gold-medal triumph in 2008 in Beijing. Visualizing her success, McIntosh was filled with excitement as she flew over SoFi Stadium in southern California, the colossal venue that will host swimming events for the 2028 Olympics, accommodating up to 38,000 spectators.
Embarking on her journey to L.A., McIntosh is currently in Irvine, California, for the Pan Pacific championships, a prestigious event akin to the European championships happening concurrently in Paris. The competition includes swimming powerhouses such as Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, China, and Canada.
The Pan Pacs, which occur every four years, kicked off with open-water events in Long Beach, where Canadian Olympian Emma Finlin claimed the 13th spot in the women’s race. The main competition begins in Irvine, with McIntosh leading a contingent of 42 Canadian athletes over four days.
Among the Canadian team are standout swimmers Taylor Ruck, Sophie Angus, Oliver Dawson, Lorne Wingginton, Kylie Masse, and Josh Liendo. Notably, McIntosh is set to compete in four events – the 200m freestyle, 400m individual medley, 400m freestyle, and 200m individual medley – showcasing her prowess as she vies for victory.
Although swimming five events would have provided a tougher challenge for McIntosh, she opted to focus on four disciplines, omitting the 800m freestyle and the 200m butterfly. Mentored by Bob Bowman, Phelps’ former coach, McIntosh is primed to showcase her talent in the pool, holding world records and reigning champion titles in multiple events.
In the upcoming Pan Pacs, McIntosh’s showdown with American star Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle promises to be a highlight, with other international talents like Lanni Pallister and Zac Stubblety-Cook also poised for competitive performances. The event will feature top swimmers from various countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada, making it a thrilling spectacle for swimming enthusiasts worldwide.
To catch all the action live, viewers can tune in to the races via 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 daily.