Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh, who clinched three individual gold medals at the 2024 Olympics and equaled a women’s record with four golds at last year’s world championships, is now eyeing an extraordinary feat at the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Her goal is to secure five solo gold medals, a feat only accomplished by the legendary Michael Phelps during the 2008 Beijing Games.
During a recent flight to southern California, McIntosh felt inspired as she caught sight of 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 Olympics, envisioning her success at the iconic venue.
This week, McIntosh is gearing up for the Pan Pacific championships in Irvine, California. The Pan Pacs, held every four years, are a significant event featuring swimming powerhouses like Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, China, and Canada, serving as a counterpart to the European championships currently taking place in Paris.
The championship kicked off with the 10-kilometer open-water events along the Pacific coast in Long Beach and will continue in Irvine, where McIntosh leads a team of 42 Canadian swimmers over four days. Notable participants alongside McIntosh include Taylor Ruck, Sophie Angus, Oliver Dawson, Lorne Wingginton, Emma Finlin, and others who have showcased remarkable performances in recent competitions.
McIntosh is set to compete in four events at the Pan Pacs, beginning with the 200m freestyle and culminating with the 200m individual medley. Despite her dominance in the 200m butterfly, she opted to focus on the 200m freestyle, aligning with her training schedule and strategic event choices under the guidance of her coach, the renowned Bob Bowman.
The championship will witness McIntosh facing off against top international swimmers like American star Katie Ledecky and Australia’s Lanni Pallister, promising exciting rivalries and thrilling competitions in various events. Viewers can catch all the action 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 daily.