Summer McIntosh caps off Canadian Open with 4th victory at event
Canadian swimming phenom Summer McIntosh capped off her Speedo Canadian Open competition with a fourth victory in as many nights, leaving the competition behind in the women’s 200-metre individual medley.
McIntosh was in control of the race from start to finish, surging early with a 26.84 in the 50m butterfly stretch. By the end of the backstroke leg, she was clear of the rest of the competitors. A solid breaststroke leg ensured the teen from Toronto wouldn’t be beaten.
The 17-year-old was four seconds faster than the rest of the field, stopping the clock in a time of 2:08.19 – that’s the sixth fastest time in the world this year.
Ashley McMillan came in second with a time of 2:12.85, with Ella Jansen coming in third with a time of 2:12.97.
McIntosh is the national record and world junior record holder in the event, having posted a time of 2:06.89 a year ago during the world championship trials. She’s been using this event to continue her training, all with the lofty goal of dominating at the Paris Olympics this summer.
WATCH l McIntosh conquers 4th Canadian Open gold with 200m individual medley:
McIntosh leaves the Canadian Open with wins in the 100m and 200m freestyle events, as well as the 100m butterfly and the 200m IM.
It was a successful few days of swimming by McIntosh, which has been the case for years now. She has been called a once-in-a generation talent. McIntosh is already a four-time world champion and is expected to compete for the top of the podium in a handful of events at the Paris Olympics this summer.
This inaugural Speedo Canadian Open was created with the hope of not only attracting top national talent to the event, but also international swimmers in the years to come.
The event this year served as a crucial tune-up for many top Canadian swimmers with the Olympic and Paralympic trials now four weeks away. Next year’s Canadian Open will be held in Edmonton.
The trials were originally set for Montreal but a fire at the Olympic Park complex last month forced the event to move to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.
It begins on May 13.