Summer McIntosh named Canada’s athlete of the year
Swimmer Summer McIntosh Wins Northern Star Award
TORONTO –
Swimmer Summer McIntosh has been named Canada’s athlete of the year, winning the prestigious Northern Star Award following her outstanding performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 18-year-old prodigy hailing from Toronto made history by clinching three gold medals in Paris, a remarkable achievement that solidified her status as the first Canadian athlete to achieve such a feat at an Olympic Games, whether summer or winter.
McIntosh shattered Olympic records in the 200-metre medley and 200 butterfly events, in addition to securing gold in the 400 medley. She further showcased her prowess by claiming a silver in the 400 freestyle event.
The highly coveted Northern Star Award, presented annually by the Toronto Star, is decided through a vote by sports journalists from across Canada. McIntosh’s well-deserved victory was announced shortly after she set a world-record time in the 400-metre freestyle event at the short-course world championships in Budapest, Hungary.
This marks the ninth occasion where a swimmer has been honored with the award, with the last recipient being Penny Oleksiak in 2016.
Among the other notable finalists were basketball sensation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, reigning NHL star Connor McDavid, hammer throw gold medalist Ethan Katzberg, and top scorer of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, Natalie Spooner.
This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on December 10, 2024.
