On Thursday, Summer McIntosh dropped one of the fastest performances in the 800 free. At the 2025 Southern Zone South Sectional Championships, the Canadian teen posted a new personal record by touching the wall in 8:09.86. With this performance, Summer took off 1.53 seconds from her previous record (8:11.39) and lowered her own Canadian and Commonwealth records.
McIntosh’s time helped her become the only swimmer under the 8:10 mark alongside the freestyle champion Katie Ledecky. Interestingly, her time was even faster than Katie Ledecky’s performance at the 2024 Olympics. As the 800 free world record holder (8:04.79), claimed the fourth consecutive Olympic gold in the event in 8:11.04.
Undoubtedly, in the 800-meter freestyle, Katie Ledecky is in her own league. The U.S. star is always expected to claim the top spot on the podium. However, McIntosh’s rapid rise has changed the dynamics of the event. Notably, at the 2024 Southern Zone South Sectional Championships, she managed to claim first place over Ledecky. Breaking Ariarne Titmus’ Commonwealth record, the 18-year-old touched the wall in 8:11.39 ahead of Ledecky’s time of 8:17.12. This was the first time Ledecky ever faced a defeat in the 800-meter event’s finals since 2010. Prior to this race, Ledecky held the 29 fastest times in 800 free. McIntosh, who went under 13 of them, cut down the list to 16 fastest times.
However, during the Paris Olympics, McIntosh chose to not add 800 free to her lineup, helping Ledecky register the number back to 18. Now, at McIntosh’s first long-course meter meet since the Olympics, she made a significant deduction to the list, registering the 10th fastest time in history, reducing Ledecky’s fastest freestyle times to nine. She now ranks second behind Katie Ledecky in the 800-free event.
McIntosh’s, one of many strengths, lies in her versatility. The 18-year-old swimmer started her career exclusively as a freestyler; however, at her debut Tokyo Olympics, she faced a few disappointments, placing fourth in 400 free, ninth in 200 free, and 11th in 800 free.
Since then, she has added more events to her lineup, showcasing expertise in individual medley, freestyle, and butterfly as well. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, McIntosh redeemed herself, winning gold in three events (200 fly, 200 IM, 400 IM) and a silver in (400 free). Furthermore, at the 2024 Short-Course Championships, McIntosh maintained her momentum by setting six world records (400 free, 200 fly and 400 IM).
In essence, till now, Summer McIntosh’s versatility and skills in mid-distance races have paid off. But following her yet another historic performance at the Southern Zone South Sectional Championships, the swimmer is also expected to add 800 free to her line-up. McIntosh’s next big swim meet will be the 2025 Long-Course World Championships in July.