McIntosh broke the record of 4:25.87 she set at the same Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre in 2023. The Canadian made her grand entrance into the world of swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic), where she came very close to the podium at the age of 14. Since then, she has only confirmed her talent and will be one of the main attractions at Paris 2024, now with a new world record.

The Olympic qualifiers in Canada were the perfect setting for the young swimmer to set a new mark in the 400 medley and win the Canadian Trials in the 200 and 400 freestyle. 

"I really focused on having fun with the race and taking it 100 metres at a time because it's quite a mentally challenging race... I wasn't really focused on the time. I mean, obviously I'm very grateful that I was able to break my world record," Summer said after the race.

"With so many Canadians in the stands, I can feel their support and I can hear them cheering during my run and that really keeps me going. I mean, if it wasn't for them, I don't think I would have had the 4:25 world record at all, let alone this one tonight. Every time I have the chance to race in front of a big crowd, I think it really gives me a boost. Just the complete adrenaline rush is incredible," added the 17-year-old.

The Toronto-born swimmer has collected eight World Championship medals in her short career, four of them gold (200 butterfly and 400 medley at Budapest 2022 and Fukuoka 2023), and is now aiming for an Olympic title in Paris.

"I've really been concentrating on enjoying the race and taking it 100 metres at a time because it's quite a mentally challenging race," said McIntosh. "Whenever I can race in front of a big crowd, I think it really gives me a boost. The complete adrenaline rush is incredible," she concluded.