Summer McIntosh, a Canadian swimming prodigy, is aiming for a remarkable feat at the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles after securing multiple gold medals in previous competitions. Inspired by the legendary Michael Phelps, who achieved a similar milestone in 2008, McIntosh envisions claiming five individual gold medals, a feat unmatched in the history of swimming.
During a recent flight to southern California, McIntosh was thrilled to see SoFi Stadium, the venue for the 2028 Olympics swimming events. The 19-year-old from Toronto expressed her excitement and aspirations for the upcoming competition.
McIntosh is currently in Irvine, California, preparing for the Pan Pacific championships, where she will compete alongside a team of 42 Canadian athletes. The Pan Pacs, held every four years, bring together swimming powerhouses like Australia, the United States, Japan, and Brazil. The event, delayed due to the pandemic, kicked off with open-water races in Long Beach before moving to the main pool in Irvine.
While McIntosh is set to compete in four events over the course of the championship, she made strategic decisions to focus on specific races, omitting the 800m freestyle and the 200m butterfly to concentrate on events where she aims to excel. Coached by the renowned Bob Bowman, McIntosh is determined to showcase her skills and set new records in the pool.
The competition will feature top international swimmers, including American star Katie Ledecky and Australian standout Lanni Pallister. McIntosh will face tough rivals in the 400m freestyle event, renewing her rivalry with Ledecky and aiming to secure victory in her quest for Olympic glory.
Fans can catch all the thrilling races of the Pan Pacs live on the CBC Gem streaming app and CBC Sports website. The event promises intense competition and exciting performances from the world’s top swimmers, making it a must-watch for swimming enthusiasts.