Summer McIntosh swims to 400m IM gold at Pan Pacific Championships
Summer McIntosh‘s dominance of the women’s 400m individual medley continued on Thursday night as she swam to gold at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California.
The world record holder shattered the previous Pan Pacs record in the event when she stopped the clock in 4:28.01, taking almost four seconds off the mark that had stood since 2014.
Still, the Olympic and three-time world champion in the event wanted more, even after standing atop the podium.
“Overall, I’m not happy with it. I should be capable of more based off my training,” said McIntosh. “I was way off my world record, so I need to reflect on where I went wrong to see how I can improve.” She had lowered the world record to 4:23.65 at the 2025 Canadian Trials.
McIntosh was essentially racing alone in front of the pack, leading through all four strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle) to finish three-and-a-half seconds ahead of Australia’s Jenna Forrester (4:31.50). Argentina’s Agostina Hein took the bronze medal in 4:32.54.
“The 400 IM, no matter what, you have to push it,” added McIntosh. “Some of my best races I’ve gone completely on my own. I try to do my own thing no matter what, no matter if someone is beside me or not.”
The soon-to-be 20-year-old was on world record pace early in the final, but encountered some challenges swimming in the outdoor pool—a rare experience for her—especially on the backstroke leg. It was “an added stress” but one she tried not to think about too much.
At the end of the night, McIntosh was back in the pool for the final of the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay. She swam the second leg, taking the handoff from Mary-Sophie Harvey in fifth place. McIntosh showed her power in getting Canada into a podium position, which was held onto by Emma O’Croinin and Brooklyn Douthwright, the latter holding off a late charge from China to secure the bronze medal in 7:52.74.
McIntosh had won an individual silver medal in the women’s 200m freestyle on Wednesday, part of a five-medal night for Canada to open the Pan Pacs.
READ: Tierney’s first international gold leads Canada’s 5 medal night at Pan Pacific Championships
“Obviously it feels great to come away with a medal for Canada. I always love doing the relay with the girls. I know we’ve been trying to get that podium in the 4×200 the last few years so it’s nice to come here and get it,” said Harvey. “I think this will give some of the girls a bit of confidence going into the next international meets before LA 2028. It is a good stepping stone and we will keep getting better.”
Australia won the gold medal in 7:42.40, with the United States taking silver in 7:43.10.
In other events, Taylor Ruck placed fifth in the women’s 100m freestyle as she came close to breaking the 53-second barrier, finishing in 53.16. Alexanne Lepage finished fifth in the women’s 100m breaststroke with a personal best time of 1:05.94, the fastest time by a Canadian in the event since Annamay Pierse in 2009.
The quartet of Ethan Ekk, Finlay Knox, Francis Brennan, and Lorne Wigginton placed fourth in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.
The Pan Pacific Championships continue through Saturday. You can catch the action on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
