By: Vivian Tang

In the Paris Olympics, Summer McIntosh, 17, of Canada, won her first gold medal on Monday, July 29, in the women’s medley category, touching the wall at 4:27.71.

In the medley category, swimmers have to cover all four strokes: backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle, and all four strokes must cover 1/4 of the total distance.

Katie Grimes (4:33.40) and Emma Weyant (4:34.93) of the United States, won silver and bronze, respectively.

McIntosh is a two-time world champion in this event. During the match, McIntosh said that she realized how big her lead was at the beginning of the breaststroke leg, and she enjoyed the last freestyle leg as she knew she would win first place.

McIntosh competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics four years ago, and she only placed fourth in the women’s 400 free.

“I have been doing this since I was 14. Every single time I get to race on the world stage, I learned 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,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh’s teammates support her, and have good sportsmanship as well.Kylie Masse is one of McIntosh’s teammates, who swam in the women’s backstroke semifinals the same day.

“She’s an inspiration to everyone,” Masse said. “For so many young swimmers in Canada to be able to see her and see her success here on the international stage, (they’ll know) that they can dream big and continue to do whatever they put their mind to.”

Coach Brent Arckey is the swimming coach for Team Canada and is McIntosh’s coach.

“She’s given everything she’s got. I think the best part about this level is it’s all about racing and that’s what she loves to do,” Arckey said.

McIntosh’s achievement is the second gold medal for Team Canada at the Olympics after Christa Deguchi won gold in the women’s under 57 kilograms judo earlier that day.

Later in the week, McIntosh will compete in the 200 IM and 200 fly.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5665678/2024/07/29/summer-mcintosh-olympic-swimming-canada-gold-medal/?source=nyt_sports
https://www.swimming.ca/en/news/2024/07/29/mcintosh-crushes-field-to-win-gold-in-400-im/#:~:text=Coach%20Brent%20Arckey%20said%20McIntosh,She’s%20great%20in%20this%20environment.%E2%80%9D