Last summer, Canada’s Summer McIntosh proudly displayed the national flag while celebrating one of her three gold medal victories at the Paris Olympics. On Thursday, she was honoured as the Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year. (Photo credit: Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
Toronto swimmer Summer McIntosh has been named The Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year for 2024 in an almost unanimous vote. At just 17, McIntosh made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Canadian to clinch three gold medals at a single Olympic Games, along with a silver, solidifying her place as a national sports icon.
Of the 53 votes cast by Canadian sports editors and reporters, 52 went to McIntosh, with one nod given to skeleton world champion Hallie Clarke. McIntosh’s remarkable achievements included golds in the 400-metre individual medley, 200-metre butterfly, and 200-metre individual medley, the last in an Olympic record time. She also claimed silver in the 400-metre freestyle. These feats not only earned her a second consecutive CP award but also etched her name alongside Canadian greats like Penny Oleksiak, Christine Sinclair, and Bianca Andreescu.
McIntosh’s preparation for the Paris Games was intense. Over nine days, she raced 13 times, balancing mental and physical demands with strategic precision. “I was proud of myself for pushing my limits,” McIntosh said. Her 400-metre individual medley win was particularly jaw-dropping, with her margin of victory — nearly six seconds — the largest in 40 years.
The 200-metre butterfly was a special victory for McIntosh, following in the footsteps of her mother, Jill Horstead, who competed in the same event at the 1984 Olympics. McIntosh capped her stellar performance by carrying Canada’s flag at the closing ceremony, alongside hammer throw champion Ethan Katzberg.
Reflecting on her journey, McIntosh expressed a deep love for swimming, saying, “Each race reminds me why I endure the early mornings and rigorous training. It’s all for those few minutes in the water.” Despite her young age, she is already setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to push her boundaries even further.
Beyond the Olympics, McIntosh continued her dominance in December at the World Short Course Championships in Budapest, where she shattered world records in three events and added more medals to her collection. Her disciplined training under coach Brent Arckey with Florida’s Sarasota Sharks has been instrumental in her success.
Interestingly, McIntosh keeps her Olympic medals in a humble wooden box, wrapped in paper towels and plastic bags to protect them. “I love sharing my medals with others,” she said. “Inspiring people is incredibly rewarding and keeps me motivated.”
McIntosh’s achievements have set a high bar, and her journey promises even greater heights. With a passion for swimming and an unwavering commitment, she’s poised to inspire generations of Canadians in the years ahead.
