By: Elena Luo

“She’s an inspiration for everyone.” one of McIntosh’s teammates said after her win. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, McIntosh won gold for 400-meter IM swim.

“I have been doing this since I was 14,” McIntosh said. “Every single time I get to race on the world stage, I learn more and more about handling (it) mentally and physically and emotionally. I try not to get too high or too low depending on my race results.” This is McIntosh’s second medal in the Olympic games, making this young swimmer and all her fellow Canadians surprised, if not proud. Her first medal was a silver, after Katie Ledecky took bronze competing against her. From a young age, McIntosh had always admired Katie, and had posters of her on her wall. Now, she was shining alongside Katie on the Olympic stage.

At the age of 14, McIntosh competed at the Tokyo Olympics in Beijing China, making her kind of a veteran. Being such a young swimmer, McIntosh is in her prime time at the Paris Olympics, as 17 – 24 is the best time you can compete. “Every single time I get to race on the world stage, I learn more and more about handling it mentally and physically and emotionally and trying not to get too high or too low,” McIntosh said.