Summer McIntosh, the Canadian swimming sensation, is eyeing an ambitious goal for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles after her remarkable success at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and last year’s world championships in Singapore.
McIntosh aims to match Michael Phelps’ historic feat of winning five individual gold medals in a single Games, a record achieved only by the legendary swimmer during his iconic performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
During a recent flight to southern California, McIntosh was filled with excitement as she saw SoFi Stadium, the venue that will host swimming events at the 2028 Olympics, accommodating around 38,000 spectators.
Preparations for her Olympic dream continue as McIntosh participates in the Pan Pacific championships in Irvine, California, this week.
The Pan Pacs, held every four years, feature top swimming nations like Australia, the United States, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, China, and Canada, offering stiff competition similar to the ongoing European championships in Paris.
Following the opening events in Long Beach, where Emma Finlin stood out for Canada, the focus now shifts to the main competitions in Irvine, where McIntosh leads a Canadian squad of 42 athletes.
McIntosh, alongside other notable Canadian swimmers like Taylor Ruck, Sophie Angus, Oliver Dawson, and Lorne Wingginton, is set to showcase her talent in four events at the Pan Pacs, starting with the 200m freestyle.
While McIntosh decided to skip certain events to focus on her key races, she remains a dominant force in her chosen disciplines, holding world records and recent championship titles.
In the highly anticipated 400m freestyle, McIntosh will face off against American star Katie Ledecky and Australian contender Lanni Pallister, promising thrilling matchups in the pool.
With top swimmers from various countries competing, including standout athletes from the United States and Australia, the Pan Pacific championships offer a platform for McIntosh to test her skills and set the stage for her future Olympic aspirations.
Viewers can catch all the action from the Pan Pacs live on the CBC Gem streaming app and the CBC Sports website, with morning heats starting at 1 p.m. ET and finals at 10 p.m. ET each day.
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