McIntosh Posts World's Fastest 200m Freestyle of 2024 

Summary:

• Summer McIntosh recorded the world’s fastest 200m free time of 2024 at the inaugural edition of the Canadian Swimming Open.
• The Canadian powered her way to first position place with a time of 1:54.21.
• Penny Oleksiak returned to the pool with a 1:59.75 time.

Summer McIntosh, the holder of the Canadian record in the 200-metre freestyle in 2023 recorded at the world championships held in Fukuoka, Japan, has once again proved her incredible skill in the pool. 

On Wednesday night, the Canadian finished the inaugural Speedo Canadian Swimming Open at the Pan Am Sports Centre in first position in the 200-metre freestyle with a time of 1:54.21.

Next in line was Mary-Sophie Harvey who scored a personal best time of 1:56.76.

Training Pays Off Well 

In 2023, the swimmer finished the Japan event with a time of 1:53.65. Wednesday’s result comes to show McIntosh’s training keeps paying off, as it would have brought her the gold medal at the world championship in Doha this past February.

Speaking about her result, McIntosh said

It’s always good when I can set good times and execute my race properly. Overall I was really happy with that. I felt quite strong

The swimmer added she felt “in control throughout the race” while her parents were cheering on her from the stands.

Mac Neil Beat McIntosh in 100m Backstroke 

McIntosh quickly returned to the pool after scoring the 200m free win to compete in the 100-metre backstroke final.

There, she swam against backstroke experts Ingrid Wilm and Maggie Mac Neil. The latter who holds the 100-metre butterfly Olympic champion title.

The adrenaline-pumping battle came down to the last few strokes which made a difference, with Mac Neil getting the wall just ahead of her competitors.

Commenting on the win, Mac Neil, who stopped the clock at 59.63, explained

It just shows the backstroke depth we have in Canada and it was something fun to get my meet started. I haven’t raced that much as I normally do so just seeing where I am heading into trials. It’s really just a dress rehearsal

Mac Neil, who admitted she hasn’t been racing as much as she usually does lately, will also participate in the upcoming 50-metre free and 100-metre butterfly and freestyle events at the Canadian Open.

Penny Oleksiak also joined the event, making her first appearance in a swimming competition in Canada in almost two years. 

The swimmer, who has been training in California since last fall, competed in the 200-metre freestyle and finished in a time of 1:59.75.

Three months prior, the Toronto-based 23-year-old underwent knee surgery. 

Will Summer make a big splash at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Get all the latest Olympic odds with a selection of the best sportbooks.