Canadian swim star Summer McIntosh set a world record in the women’s 400-metre freestyle on Tuesday night at the Canadian swimming trials in Toronto.
The 16-year-old Toronto native finished in 3 minutes 56.08 seconds.
The previous record was 3:56.40, set by Ariarne Titmus of Australia last year. McIntosh’s previous career-best mark was 3:59:32, set at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which was also the previous Canadian record.
“Honestly, going into tonight, I didn’t think the world record was a possibility but you never know,” McIntosh said. “I’m so grateful for my coach and everyone that’s helped me along the way to get to where I am today.”
McIntosh won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at last year’s world championships.
The Canadian took silver in the 400 freestyle at the worlds.
McIntosh competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as a 14-year-old, finishing fourth in the 400 freestyle.
“Over the past few years I’ve put my life into this. To be the best I can be. To achieve something like this, it was very unexpected,” McIntosh said. “It was never in my dreams to do this tonight or even a few years ago. This just blows my mind.”
The Canadian swimming trials, which opened on Tuesday, are being held to select athletes for the world championships and Pan American Games later this year.