After securing three individual swimming gold medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and matching the women’s record with four at last year’s world championships in Singapore, Summer McIntosh is aiming for a grand achievement at the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The Canadian sensation is eyeing five solo gold medals, a feat that would equal the single-Games record across all sports. The only swimmer in history to achieve this milestone is the legendary Michael Phelps, who accomplished it as part of his remarkable eight-gold-medal performance in 2008 in Beijing.
During a recent flight to southern California, McIntosh was filled with excitement when she caught sight of SoFi Stadium, the colossal state-of-the-art 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 described the experience as unforgettable, expressing her aspirations for the upcoming event.
This week, McIntosh’s journey towards Olympic glory in L.A. brings her to Irvine, California, for the Pan Pacific championships, a prestigious event that features top swimming nations such as Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, China, and Canada.
The Pan Pacs, held every four years, are equivalent to the European championships, which are concurrently taking place in Paris. The competition kicked off with the 10-kilometer open-water events along the Pacific coast in Long Beach, where Canadian Olympian Emma Finlin performed impressively, securing the 13th position in the women’s race.
The main events will commence in an outdoor pool in Irvine this week, where McIntosh will lead a team of 42 Canadian swimmers competing over four days. Notable athletes in the Canadian squad include Taylor Ruck, Sophie Angus, Oliver Dawson, Lorne Wingginton, Kylie Masse, and Josh Liendo. However, the focus remains on McIntosh, set to participate in four events over the course of the championship.
Despite the opportunity to test her Olympic aspirations by competing in five events, McIntosh opted out of the 800m freestyle and the 200m butterfly to focus on her strongest races. Coached by Bob Bowman, the legendary trainer of Michael Phelps, McIntosh is determined to excel in her preferred events at the Pan Pacs.
McIntosh holds world records and reigning world titles in her three primary events at the Pan Pacs. Her anticipated showdown with American star Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle promises to be a highlight of the competition, as McIntosh aims to assert her dominance in the pool once again. The event will also feature top swimmers from Australia and the United States, creating an exciting atmosphere for swimming enthusiasts.
For viewers interested in following the action, all races at the Pan Pacs can be streamed live on the CBC Gem app and CBC Sports website, with morning heats starting at 1 p.m. ET and finals at 10 p.m. ET daily. A detailed schedule with exact start times for the finals is available for reference.