Summer McIntosh is Canada’s first triple gold medallist in an Olympic Games, while also propelling Canada to its biggest medal haul in the pool at an Olympic Games.
The Toronto swimmer won her third gold in Paris with a victory in the 200-metre individual medley in an Olympic-record time of two minutes 6.56 seconds.
“It’s pretty surreal,” said McIntosh, who also also won the 400m medley and the 200m butterfly. “I’m just so proud of myself and how I’ve been able to recover and manage events.
“The reason I’m able to do this is just because of all the hard work and dedication I’ve given to this moment, along with all my family and my teammates, and my coaches have also worked so hard for me to be here today.”
American Kate Douglass was second and Australia’s Kaylee McKeown came in third.
Toronto’s Summer McIntosh captured her third gold medal at Paris 2024, winning the women’s 200-metre individual medley final, to go along with her silver medal in the women’s 400-metre freestyle.
“There’s been so many before me that have led the way and inspired me to be where I am today,” McIntosh said when asked about her place in Canadian sports history.
Alex Walsh of the U.S. appeared to win silver before being disqualified. The 2021 silver medallist was disqualified for an illegal turn at the end of the backstroke leg.
Walsh was visibly upset and did not stop to speak with reporters after leaving the pool deck.
Watch Summer McIntosh receive her third gold medal of the Paris Olympics. McIntosh is the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
McIntosh’s medal was also her fourth in Paris after a silver medal in the 400m freestyle to kick off the meet.
She matched swim teammate Penny Oleksiak’s record of four medals at a Summer Games.
McIntosh could do one medal better if she races the medley relay in Sunday’s swimming finale in Paris.
Canadians Liendo, Kharun share podium
Earlier on Saturday, Canadian swimmers Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun both made it to the podium in the men’s 100m butterfly final, earning silver and bronze, respectively.
Liendo became the first black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal.
“It’s awesome, right? It’s a huge milestone, and it’s something that I don’t take lightly,” said Liendo. “Definitely a lot of pride to be able to get that, and it’s just a surreal moment. This day and the crowd, just kind of everything coming together. It’s hard to put into words.”
Canadians Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun finished second and third in the Olympic men’s 100m butterfly event at Paris 2024.
The two became the first Canadian men to reach the podium in the 100 fly since Bruce Robertson’s silver in Munich in 1972.
It was the first time two Canadian male swimmers finished in the medals in the same Olympic race.
“I think it’s a lot of hard work and dedication,” Kharun said. “Me and Josh [Liendo], a couple days ago, spoke about how crazy it would be [if] me and him both got on the podium. I’m so glad we spoke it into existence. It’s such a great feeling.”
“I told him, ‘You’re close. You’re right on the medal,'” Liendo said. “It’d be cool to get two guys. It’s the first time we’ve ever done that in history, so it’s awesome to see him get on the podium there.”
Silver medallist Josh Liendo and bronze medallist Ilya Kharun of Canada celebrate during the podium ceremony of the men’s 100m butterfly swimming event.
Kharun claimed his second Paris 2024 medal after taking bronze in the men’s 200m butterfly.
“This is what I wanted, but I knew [in] the 100 fly, the competition was so crazy that the top three was just a dream for the 100 fly. I’m just so glad I finally got it. I was in disbelief when I touched the wall, and it’s just so great,” Kharun said.
Later on Saturday, the Canadian mixed 4x100m medley relay finished fifth in the event’s final.
Caeleb Dressel won his ninth career Olympic gold medal from the sidelines as the U.S. romped to victory in the mixed 4×100 meters medley relay in world record time.
Ledecky wins record-equalling 9th gold medal
Katie Ledecky capped another stellar Olympics by becoming only the second swimmer to win an event at four straight Summer Games, holding off Ariarne Titmus to win the 800m freestyle Saturday night.
It was Ledecky’s second gold medal in Paris and the ninth of her remarkable career, which marked another milestone. She became only the sixth Olympian to reach that figure, joining swimmer Mark Spitz, track star Carl Lewis, Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi in a tie for second place.
The only athlete to win more golds: swimmer Michael Phelps with 23.
Ledecky went faster than her winning time in Tokyo, touching in 8 minutes, 11.04 seconds. Titmus, the Australian star known as the “Terminator,” was right on her shoulder nearly the entire race, but Ledecky pulled away in the final 100.
Titmus, who beat Ledecky in the 400 freestyle, settled for silver at 8:12.29. The bronze went to another American, Paige Madden at 8:13.00.
“I knew that it was gonna be a tough race and I felt confident coming into it,” Ledecky said. “But I knew it was going to be tough no matter what, all the way down to the finish. So I just had to stick in the race, trust myself, trust my training, trust that I know the hungry side of that. And, yeah, I am just kind of relieved.”
Phelps had been the only swimmer to win the same event at four straight Olympics, taking gold in the 200 individual medley at Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.
Now he’s got company.