Summer McIntosh leads Canadian swim team eager to build on Paris success at world short course championships
Summer McIntosh is back in familiar territory at the Duna Arena in Budapest, the same venue where she made a name for herself two years ago at the long course world championships. As a 15-year-old, McIntosh secured her first two individual world championship titles in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley, setting world junior record times and becoming the youngest Canadian ever to win a world title. Now, at 17, McIntosh is ready to make her mark once again at the short course world championships, which kick off on Tuesday in the Hungarian capital.
The Toronto teen, who recently made history by winning three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, is set to compete in four individual events in Budapest. She will start her campaign with the 400m freestyle on the opening night, followed by the 400m individual medley, 200m butterfly, and 200m backstroke. This will be McIntosh’s first international competition in a backstroke event, adding another layer of excitement to her already impressive repertoire.
McIntosh expressed her enthusiasm for competing in Budapest, highlighting the fast nature of the Duna Arena pool and the importance of details and turns in short course racing. She has been training diligently in preparation for the championships and is eager to showcase her skills once again on the world stage.
Her coach, Brent Arckey, who is part of the Canadian coaching staff, believes that McIntosh has the potential to excel in Budapest and build upon her Olympic success. With a strong Canadian team by her side, including seasoned swimmers like Kylie Masse, Sydney Pickrem, Penny Oleksiak, and Mary-Sophie Harvey, McIntosh is poised to shine in the pool.
Oleksiak, who is returning to the short course world championships after eight years, is looking forward to competing in the 50m and 100m freestyle events as well as relays. Despite initially planning to retire by 2024, Oleksiak is feeling confident in the water and is keeping her expectations in check for the upcoming competition.
On the men’s side, Ilya Khuran, the Canadian butterfly specialist, is aiming to dominate the 50m, 100m, and 200m butterfly events in Budapest. With his eyes set on breaking the world record in the 50m fly set by Swiss swimmer Noè Ponti, Khuran is determined to make a statement at the championships.
Mary-Sophie Harvey, who is seeking her first individual podium finish after years of hard work, is motivated to step up her game and inspire others to pursue their dreams. With five events on her schedule, Harvey is using her fourth-place finishes in Paris as fuel to propel her towards success in Budapest.
As Swimming Canada high performance director John Atkinson notes, the short course world championships mark the beginning of a new Olympic cycle, signaling a fresh start for the Canadian swimmers. With a mix of experienced veterans and talented young athletes, the team is ready to make a splash in Budapest and set the tone for the road to the 2024 Olympics in Los Angeles.
