Summer McIntosh Clinches Third Straight CP Female Athlete Award

Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh has been named the Canadian Press female athlete of the year for the third consecutive time, marking a significant achievement in her burgeoning career. The 19-year-old from Toronto excelled in 2025, winning four gold medals at the world championship held in Singapore, where she also set three world records during national trials.

McIntosh’s remarkable performance made her only the second woman to secure gold in four individual events at a single world championship. The first was American swimmer Katie Ledecky in 2015. Prior to the championships, McIntosh established herself as a strong contender by breaking world records in the 400-metre freestyle, the individual medley, and the 200-metre individual medley at trials in Victoria in June.

Reflecting on her preparation for the world championships, McIntosh said, “Whenever I go into a trials, I’m always trying to chase world records… it was just trying to get my hand on the wall first in as many events possible.” She confidently aimed for five gold medals in Singapore, stating, “Any time I get in the water, and I do a race, I’m trying to win.”

Although she fell short of her ambitious goal, McIntosh triumphed in the 400 and 200 individual medleys, the 400 freestyle, and the 200 butterfly. She also brought home a bronze medal in the 800 freestyle, finishing behind Ledecky. “Even all the way from Singapore, all of Swimming Canada, we all felt the love and support back home,” she remarked.

The Canadian Press awards for top athletes are determined by votes from editors, writers, and broadcasters from various news organizations across Canada. McIntosh garnered 34 out of 53 votes, outpacing rugby player Sophie de Goede (8 votes), tennis player Victoria Mboko (5 votes), and cyclist Magdeleine Vallieres (3 votes). Other notable athletes, including ski cross racer Marielle Thompson and hockey player Marie-Philip Poulin, received a vote each.

Being the second woman to win the CP female athlete award three years in a row, McIntosh joins the ranks of figure skater Barbara Ann Scott, who achieved this from 1946 to 1948. The prestigious award has been presented annually since 1932, with a few exceptions during the Second World War and during special recognitions.

In addition to her impressive accomplishments in 2025, McIntosh shifted her training base from Florida to France to work with coach Fred Vergnoux before the trials and world championships. She later moved to Austin, Texas, to join the professional training group led by coach Bob Bowman, known for guiding Michael Phelps to his historic 23 Olympic gold medals.

“2025 was a pretty crazy year for me just because I was kind of moving around a lot,” McIntosh shared. She described the year as a significant learning experience, filled with challenges leading up to the world championships. Despite her success, McIntosh faced adversity when she fell ill in October with an undiagnosed ailment that resulted from a complication during a spinal tap. This setback forced her to miss three stops on the World Cup tour, including an event in her hometown of Toronto.

McIntosh rebounded strongly at the December U.S. Open, winning the 400 freestyle in the second-fastest time ever recorded, behind her own world record, and claiming victory in the 200-metre butterfly. “You never know when you’re going to get taken out of the water,” she said, emphasizing the importance of remaining grateful and committed to her training.

Looking ahead to 2026, with no Olympic Games or world championships scheduled, McIntosh is setting her sights on breaking her own world records. “I’m really just focused on seeing if I can lower my own world records and break some new ones as well,” she stated, demonstrating her unwavering determination as she continues to push the boundaries of her sport.