2024 Olympics: Canada's top swimmer Summer McIntosh finds training base in Sarasota
Summer McIntosh’s journey to Paris has included a lengthy stopover in Sarasota.
Canada’s top prospect for a gold medal in swimming at the 2024 Summer Olympics qualified for a jaw-dropping five events that included the 17-year-old breaking her own world record in the 400 individual medley in a time of 4:24.38 on May 17.
At 14, McIntosh became the youngest Canadian to ever qualify for the Olympic Games, regardless of the sport. She just missed out on earning a medal by finishing fourth in the 400 freestyle. She also finished ninth in the 200 freestyle in Tokyo in 2021.
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McIntosh’s list of accomplishments in the pool continued to grow from there until she, like most everyone else, faced a roadblock during the COVID epidemic. Training indoors for any length of time was not an option for the Toronto native and its cold climate.
McIntosh found the right place to make her training base when she joined the Sarasota Sharks, which offers swimmers an Olympic pool and outdoor access 12 months a year. The local swim club has called Selby Aquatic Center its home since 1961.
While training with the Sharks, McIntosh was named the Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year in 2023. Last February in Orlando, McIntosh defeated American legend Katie Ledecky in the 800 free in a time of 8:11.39. It was the first time Ledecky had lost any race at that distance since 2010.
In addition to breaking her own world record in the 400 IM, McIntosh also won the 400 free in 3:59.06 at the Canadian Trials. She also qualified for Paris in the 200 butterfly (2:04.70) and the 200 IM (2:06.89), where she will lead Canada’s squad of 29 swimmers.
Although she qualified for the 200 free in 2:04.33, McIntosh dropped that race from her schedule in order not to get overloaded.
McIntosh has already made such an impact in and out of the pool that she has endorsement deals with Red Bull, Tag Heuer and Team Lulelemon, among others.
The Olympic swimming competition is set to begin on Saturday, July 27, at The Paris La Defense Arena.