Summer McIntosh sliced through the water in Singapore, closing out the world swimming championships the way every athlete dreams—on top and rewriting the record books for Canada.
The Toronto-born swimmer, just 18 years old, delivered a performance at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore that had everyone’s attention. On Sunday, she surged to her fourth gold medal by owning the women’s 400-metre individual medley, clocking in at 4:25.78, a new championship record. That left Australia’s Jenna Forrester and Japan’s Mio Narita—both seasoned competitors—trailing behind as they shared silver more than seven seconds back.
McIntosh’s medal run didn’t stop there. She had already climbed the top step of the podium in the 200-metre butterfly, the 200-metre individual medley, and the 400-metre freestyle, making the Singapore pool her own personal showcase throughout the week. Even when her streak was broken by American Katie Ledecky in the 800-metre freestyle, McIntosh dug deep for bronze, showing grit as well as glory.
Timing was everything. The championships, running in early August, placed McIntosh not just against the best in the world but against history. Her career tally now stands at 13 world championship medals, eight of them gold, confirming her as one of the most dominant Canadian swimmers of her generation. She did it all under the bright lights of Singapore, with the world watching and competitors hungry to catch her.
Analysts and fans agree, the stakes have never been higher for Canadian swimming. When a teenager can capture four golds and a bronze against the world’s elite, it sets a new standard and inspires a whole new wave of Canadian talent. The men’s relay team chipped in with a sixth-place finish, but it was McIntosh who stole the show, not just for her times, but for the way she raced—fearless and fast.
Eyes now turn to what comes next. With confidence at an all-time high, and records already falling, the smart money says McIntosh’s best chapters are still ahead. This is just the beginning of a legacy that could redefine Canadian swimming for a generation.
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Canada’s McIntosh grabs fourth gold to cap dominant world swimming championships
