Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh made a thunderous statement ahead of this year’s World Championships in Singapore by obliterating the women’s 400m freestyle world record at the national trials in Victoria, British Columbia.
McIntosh clocked an astonishing 3:54.18, shaving more than a full second off the previous record of 3:55.38 set by Australian star Ariarne Titmus at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka. The 17-year-old’s blistering performance came in her very first race of the trials — a clear warning to the rest of the world that she’s in peak form with less than a month to go until the global showdown.
Already a three-time Olympic gold medallist and the former record-holder in this very event, McIntosh reclaimed her throne in emphatic fashion. Her swim wasn’t just about qualification — it was a powerful declaration of dominance as she eyes further history at the Worlds in Singapore from July 11 to August 3.
She’s entered in seven events, including the 800m free, 400m individual medley, 200m individual medley, 200m free, 200m butterfly and 200m backstroke.
She has indicated she aims to compete in five events at worlds.
McIntosh won gold in the 200m butterfly 200m medley and 400m medley at the Paris Games and she’ll head to Singapore seeking to add to her tally of four world titles.
With Titmus taking a season off, she can expect her greatest challenge in the 400m free to come from Katie Ledecky, but after Saturday’s showing McIntosh appeared more than up for a clash with the US great.
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