Former Coach Compares Rising Star Summer McIntosh to Michael Phelps

Canadian swimming prodigy Summer McIntosh is drawing comparisons to the legendary Michael Phelps, a sentiment strongly endorsed by her coach, Bob Bowman. During a recent interview at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, Bowman described the similarities between the two athletes. He noted that they swim similar events and both have a unique talent for their sport.

Summer McIntosh’s Rising Star

McIntosh enjoyed a stellar performance at the World Aquatics Championships last summer in Singapore, where she clinched four individual gold medals and a bronze. Phelps holds the record for the most individual gold medals at a single world championships, with five.

Coaching Legacy

Bowman, who previously coached Phelps to an impressive 23 Olympic gold medals, has been working with McIntosh for five months as part of his professional team at the University of Texas. He believes their training will be crucial as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Record-Breaking Performances

• New Pool Record: McIntosh set a new pool record in the 400m individual medley, finishing in 4:28.13, breaking Kirsty Coventry’s record from 2008.
• Training Feedback: Bowman highlighted areas for improvement, specifically her backstroke, while praising her breaststroke technique.

A Shared Vision

Swimming Canada’s high-performance director, John Atkinson, expressed his confidence in Bowman’s guidance. Atkinson emphasized the importance of aligning goals between the national program and McIntosh’s personal aspirations.

McIntosh respects Bowman for his longstanding experience and his dedicated approach to coaching. She noted his engagement during practice significantly contributes to the entire team’s morale.

Ambitions for the Future

McIntosh has expressed her desire to match Phelps’ remarkable Olympic achievements. Specifically, she aims to secure five gold medals at the 2028 Olympics. She acknowledges the tremendous effort required to reach this milestone and the importance of vocalizing her goals.

Pursuing World Records

The young athlete is also eyeing the 200m butterfly world record, currently held by China’s Liu Zige at 2:01.81, set during the 2009 Chinese National Games. McIntosh came incredibly close to this mark at the last world championships, finishing just 0.18 seconds shy.

Balancing Responsibilities

In addition to her swimming career, McIntosh is set to enroll in an accounting class at the University of Texas. She believes in the importance of education, especially as an athlete whose competitive career will have an end point.

Both Bowman and McIntosh are committed to ongoing improvement and growth. Bowman’s coaching strategy focuses on adapting training to maintain engagement and provide fresh challenges. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, they are keenly aware of the work that lies ahead.