On July 5, 2026, at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Montreal, 19-year-old Summer McIntosh achieved a historic milestone by setting a new world record in the women's 200-meter butterfly event. She completed the race in 2 minutes and 1.65 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 2:01.81 held by China's Liu Zige since 2009.
The previous record, established during the "super-suit" era, had stood for over 6,000 days, making it the longest-standing individual women's swimming world record. McIntosh's performance not only broke this longstanding record but also marked the end of an era in women's swimming.
Celebrating her achievement, McIntosh expressed her joy, stating, "That was the one world record that I've always dreamt of as a kid. To now do it is really incredible." Her victory was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience, who cheered as she celebrated her success.
This race also marked McIntosh's first appearance in Canada since her decision to train under renowned coach Bob Bowman in Austin, Texas. Bowman, who previously coached Michael Phelps to 23 Olympic gold medals, has been instrumental in McIntosh's development. Reflecting on her performance, Bowman commented, "It's always special. They're very few and far between, even with swimmers like Summer. It's hard to get there. It's fun to see her start the meet off that way."
Looking ahead, McIntosh is set to compete in several upcoming events, including the 400-meter individual medley on Monday, the 400-meter freestyle on Tuesday, and the 200-meter individual medley on Wednesday. These competitions serve as preparation for the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California.
McIntosh's achievement not only highlights her personal dedication and hard work but also signifies a new chapter in the history of women's swimming, as she continues to break barriers and set new standards in the sport.