Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh has set ambitious goals for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in two years, aiming for five individual gold medals. Her preparation over the past year has been dedicated to this objective, with the Pan Pacific swimming championships this week serving as an initial gauge of her progress in achieving this feat.

As she arrived for the competition in California, McIntosh, who will turn 20 next week, expressed her excitement for the upcoming Games. Reflecting on flying over the stadium where the 2028 Olympics will be held, she described the moment as exhilarating and symbolic of her aspirations. McIntosh emphasized the significance of being in the same state where the Olympics will take place, underscoring the importance of this experience.

Having secured three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, McIntosh has emerged as a prominent figure in the swimming world. She currently holds four individual long-course world records in various disciplines. Notably, her recent achievement of breaking the women’s 200m butterfly world record at the Canadian trials marked a significant milestone, especially as she overcame illness shortly after this remarkable feat.

Competing at the Pan Pacific championships for the first time, McIntosh is part of the Canadian team at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine, California. This event holds particular significance as the 2022 championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the guidance of renowned coach Bob Bowman, McIntosh is eager to showcase her skills in multiple events, including the 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and 400m freestyle.

Expressing her anticipation for the competition, McIntosh remains optimistic about her performance and is open to the possibility of setting new records. With a focus on peaking at the Pan Pacs, McIntosh is determined to make a mark in the pool and continue her impressive trajectory leading up to the Los Angeles Olympics.