Summer McIntosh explores uncharted swimming territory in Singapore: “It’s the start of something amazing.”
An ordinary June day in Toronto. After breaking three world records (the 200m and 400m medley, and the 400m freestyle) and shattering two others (the 200m butterfly and the 800m freestyle), Summer McIntosh received a call. She was training. Britney, a member of her team, yelled to her from the steps: “Come here, someone wants to talk to you.” McIntosh played dumb. Her teammates insisted. The voice sounded familiar. “I was in shock. Talking to my idol... He told me he was playing golf with his son and wanted to congratulate me on what I did. I can’t believe it happened; it was an honor and it gave me motivation,” the swimmer explained at Media Day. The call was from Michael Phelps .
McIntosh will begin college in Austin, USA, in September, with the prestigious coach of the Baltimore Sharks and Léon Marchand, Bob Bowman. The 18-year-old Canadian has a staggering record: four Olympic medals (three gold), eight world championships, and three current records. And, as if that weren't enough, at these World Swimming Championships in Singapore, which welcomed her yesterday with a downpour, she hopes to dethrone the legendary Katie Ledecky in the 800 freestyle —she hasn't lost in this event for 13 years—and break the record for the 200 butterfly.
Its best world brands... and the records that remain400 Freestyle: 3:54.18 (current WR)200 Medley: 2:05.70 (current WR)400 Medley: 4:23.65 (current WR)200 Butterfly: 2:02.26 (0.45 seconds off the WR)800 Freestyle: 8:05.07 (0.95 seconds off the WR)
“It's the beginning of something amazing; it will be swimming history,” explains Fred Vergnoux, Mireia Belmonte's former coach and now the Canadian's coach. “She has a great work ethic, but what stands out is her perseverance. She never has a bad day. Mireia was more emotional, Latin, and huggable. She's shy and innocent; it's a credit to her that she's stepped out of her comfort zone,” emphasizes Vergnoux, who has been helping her with her training since January with altitude training camps in Font Romeu. “Fred has been incredible. We connected wonderfully. He's taken me to the next level in this sport; he has an incredible culture,” affirmed the swimmer.
Read also Summer McIntosh breaks the world record for swimming in five days: "I know I can go even faster." Alberto Martínez
This alien is down-to-earth when she's not swimming. Her sister Brooke is a world medalist in figure skating and signed with Spain to partner with Marco Zandron. The adventure was short-lived. Her mother, Jill Horstead, was a former swimmer and Olympian in Los Angeles in 1984. Her father, Greg, is a businessman.
At 13, right at the start of the pandemic, the youngest of the McIntosh sisters lost her childhood coach, Kevin Thorburne, at the onset of COVID. And she vowed to stay the course she'd set for herself. The following year, in ghostly Tokyo, she finished fourth in the Olympic 400m freestyle final amid silence. But her times already created a stir.
"I've never seen anyone so focused on training," says Ben Titley, who took over his training after that tragedy and, since 2022, has been the head coach at the Sant Cugat CAR.
McIntosh, at 1.73m, isn't known for her physique. Her secret lies in her ability to move through the water, like a fish, with (almost) perfect aerodynamics. Olivier Poirier-Leroy, one of the best swimming analysts, explains to La Vanguardia why the Canadian has such a gift. " One of the keys is gliding. She naturally extends the top of each stroke before starting the next. Her stroke length is greater, which reduces energy expenditure and helps her maintain her technique at the end of races," he reasons. "That's why, even though she's ten centimeters shorter than Ledecky, she needs fewer strokes," he concludes.
His program is ambitious The Canadian will swim the 200 and 400 medleys, 200 butterfly, 400 and 800 freestyle; and relays“This glide reflects excellent synchronization and coordination between the upper and lower body, as well as a very powerful kick. Most swimmers stall when gliding, but she doesn't lose speed: she covers more meters and keeps kicking,” he explains. “She must have a high VO2 max, which is known as aerobic power,” emphasizes Spanish coach José Antonio del Castillo. This allows her to delve into events with higher lactate production, such as the 200, 400, or 800 meters. “She's a swimmer who glides; it's as if her body were slipping through the water. Talented swimmers learn to listen to their bodies, to feel their movements,” adds biomechanical expert Andreu Roig.
If perfection was Michael Phelps, Summer McIntosh has arrived to fill that void. Canada isn't the United States, so it won't be able to repeat the feats of eight Olympic gold medals like the one in Baltimore. But its mark will live on. Singapore will see Super McIntosh, who is aiming for five individual medals and five world records. Action!
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