Summer McIntosh withdraws from Canadian swimming trials

Swimmer Summer McIntosh has been named the Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year for the third straight year.

MONTREAL - Star swimmer Summer McIntosh has withdrawn from the remainder of the Canadian trials due to illness.

Swimming Canada announced Tuesday that McIntosh will not compete again at this year’s meet after consulting with her coach, Bob Bowman, and the organization’s medical staff following Tuesday morning’s preliminary heat in the women’s 400-metre freestyle.

No details of her illness were provided.

McIntosh said she began feeling ill Monday morning and had hoped to continue competing, but called withdrawing “the right decision.”

“I’m so sorry, but on the advice of my doctors and coach, I’ve made the difficult decision to scratch from my remaining events at the 2026 Canadian Trials,” she said in a statement.

McIntosh broke the longest-standing women’s individual world record in the 200-metre butterfly on Sunday before winning the 400 individual medley Monday at the Montreal event.

The 19-year-old from Toronto posted the fastest time in the 400 freestyle heats to qualify for Tuesday night’s final. She had been scheduled to end the meet with the 200 IM on Wednesday.

The four-time Olympic medallist will now focus on recovering ahead of the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, scheduled for Aug. 12-15 in Irvine, Calif.

“There is so much magic in this pool, and I’m incredibly grateful I got to experience it. I’m so disappointed that I can’t continue racing in front of these amazing crowds, but my focus now is on getting healthy so I can be ready to represent Canada at the Pan Pacific Championships,” McIntosh said.

“Thank you for all the love and support this week. I’m so sorry our time together was cut short and thank you for cheering me and all of the athletes on. Best of luck to everyone for the rest of the competition.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July. 7, 2026.