Summer McIntosh has come incredibly close to shattering a third world record in a single week at the Canadian Swimming Trials, achieving the second-fastest time ever recorded in the 200m butterfly. The 18-year-old swimmer clocked in at 2:02.26, just shy of Liu Zige’s world record of 2:01.81 set in 2009, a time that had long been viewed as nearly unattainable.
During the trials, which serve as qualifiers for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, McIntosh’s performance has undoubtedly established her as a leading talent in the sport. She has already set new world records in the 400m freestyle and 200m individual medley earlier in the event.
Reflecting on her latest race, McIntosh expressed an especially high regard for this performance. “I actually rate this race higher than my other ones…because this world record is the hardest one to get in my personal opinion,” she noted. Despite finishing more than seven seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, she was candid about her pursuit of perfection, mentioning that she felt strong throughout the race and was generally pleased with her performance, although she wished to improve her finish.
In addition to her outstanding times, McIntosh has also recorded the third-fastest 800m freestyle at these trials. She captured the attention of the swimming community by being a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Zige’s world record mid-race, showcasing her thrilling potential.
McIntosh’s determination and skill have made breaking Zige’s historic mark seem like a tangible goal. She remarked on the significance of closing in on such a legendary record, stating, “That is out-of-this-world fast…to be pretty close to it is pretty wild.”
Her ambition and confidence reflect a growing belief that world records, however formidable, can eventually be surpassed, providing a hopeful outlook for her future in competitive swimming. McIntosh’s trajectory suggests that she may not just challenge existing records, but redefine them for generations to come.