Summer McIntosh has been voted The Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year for 2024, marking her second consecutive win after capturing the title the previous year. The Toronto swimmer's remarkable accomplishments at the Paris Olympics, where she became the first Canadian to win three gold medals at any Olympic Games, secured her the overwhelming support of sports editors, producers, and reporters across the country.
McIntosh achieved this honor with 52 of the 53 votes cast, with the only other vote going to skeleton world champion Hallie Clarke of Brighton, Ontario. "Three golds at the Olympics. No other reason needed," remarked TSN managing producer Jamie Bell. McIntosh, whose performance was described as electric, acknowledged the significance of the award. "It's always an honour, but to do it for a second year in a row is pretty incredible to be recognized like this," she stated.
The accolades for McIntosh reflect her exceptional prowess as she managed to ascend the podium four times during the Games, overcoming the grueling schedule of thirteen races spread over nine days. She also captured the silver medal during the women's 400-metre freestyle, setting the stage for dominating subsequent events. Her victory by nearly six seconds in the 400-metre individual medley was noted as the largest margin of victory for the event in 40 years. "I definitely knew getting gold was a possibility, so when I finally was able to do it, all my hard work and training came to fruition," McIntosh said.
Beyond her previous achievements, including being the female athlete of the year last year, McIntosh has now left her mark alongside past winners like hockey legends Marie-Philip Poulin and Hayley Wickenheiser, tennis stars Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu, and soccer standout Christine Sinclair. With her previous accolades, it solidifies her status as one of the most promising athletes within the Canadian sports scene.
Following her success at the Olympics, McIntosh continued to set high standards for herself. Just recently, at the world short-course championships held in Budapest, she won the women’s 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly, as well as the 400 individual medley—all achieved with world-record times. Despite her young age and the pressure associated with such monumental achievements, McIntosh remains grounded. "I am still so young. I want to stay in the sport as long as I can as long as I enjoy it," she mentioned.
Handling the spotlight effectively, she reflected on the importance of her work ethic and her preparation. "Just going to the Olympics, all the training I did on a day-to-day basis, and mentally, physically preparing for a nine-day-long swim meet, I couldn't have been more prepared and my results showed it," McIntosh explained.
Carrying not only her successes, McIntosh bears the weight of expectation for future competitions such as the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. She expresses her excitement about the sport, capturing its essence through her commitment to her training. "Every day I fall more in love with it. It's such a fun sport. Any time I get to race, I'm reminded of why I love it so much." Her medals, which she keeps protected, serve as reminders of her accomplishments and the inspiration she hopes to convey to others. "I try to show my medals to as many people as possible who want to see them, just because they are really cool to see and to see in person," she added.
Phil King, sports production editor at the Globe and Mail, encapsulated McIntosh's achievements, noting, "Summer McIntosh had the weight of her country on her shoulders when she competed in Paris. Yet she blanked out most of the pressure and still pulled off one of the most remarkable Olympic performances in Canadian history. That's a champion." McIntosh's story continues to evolve as she inspires many through her perseverance and dedication, clearly setting the stage for her future endeavors.
Overall, McIntosh's accolades not only highlight her depth as an athlete but also shine light on the positive image of Canadian sports on the global stage. Her achievements reinforce the narrative of Canada being home to formidable contenders leading international competitions by showcasing talents such as Summer McIntosh.
