McIntosh overcomes stacked field to win women’s 100m free at Canadian Swimming Open

Another night.

Another Summer McIntosh win in the pool.

The 17-year-old swimming sensation led from start to finish and touched the wall first in the 100-metre freestyle on the second night of finals at the Speedo Canadian Open at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

It was a stacked field with McIntosh, Penny Oleksiak, Maggie Mac Neil and Mary-Sophie Harvey all squaring off.

McIntosh was first at the 50m turn and surged to the finish, stopping the clock in a time of 53.90.

WATCH | McIntosh leads from start finish to win 100m free:

Summer McIntosh wins 100m freestyle for 2nd gold medal at Canadian Swimming Open

Summer McIntosh of Toronto finishes first in the women’s 100-metre freestyle final with a time of 53.90, a day after reaching the top of the podium in the 200-metre freestyle event.

This comes a night after the generational talent posted the fastest 200m freestyle time in the world this year.

“I was happy to break that 54 barrier and I was pretty strong throughout the whole race,” McIntosh said.

“I was trying to execute my details as well as possible.”

Mac Neil came in second in a time of 54.01, followed by Harvey in third at 54.27.

McIntosh had high praise for her competitors after the race.

“It’s always a fun experience and I know they’ll bring their best. It’s always a lot of fun and we really just try to push each other to the best of our ability.”

Oleksiak, who hadn’t competed in Canada for nearly two years, came in fourth in a time of 54.43.

“It’s not what I was hoping for, but I mean, I’m happy with last night. I went under two minutes, which is what I wanted,” Oleksiak said after the race.

“I’m just happy to be here, happy to be surrounded by so many girls going so fast, like Summer going 53. That’s insane.”

A night earlier Oleksiak posted a time of 1:59.75 in the 200m freestyle.

That ends Oleksiak’s Canadian Open and in many respects it’s been a success for Canada’s most decorated Olympian.

She’s been plagued by injury over the last number of years and just three months ago underwent another knee surgery.

Her road to recovery and racing competitively has been slow and steady and now Oleksiak looks poised for another strong Olympic push.

“I’m just so blessed to be in the position I’m in. And the fact that people are excited to watch me and I can kind of be a part of that experience for them, it means a lot,” Oleksiak said.

Oleksiak rose to stardom at the 2016 Olympics in Rio when she won four medals. She then followed that up with three more medals at the Tokyo Games.

The 23-year-old says she’ll use this meet as a valuable learning experience and continue training in California to prepare for the trials.

The Olympic and Paralympic trials are set for Toronto starting May 13. Oleksiak is looking to make her third Games.

WATCH | Summer McIntosh reacts to swimming fastest 200m freestyle this year:

Penny Oleksiak on making long-awaited return to pool in 2 years

Olympic Champion posted a time of 1:59.75 in the 200m freestyle at the 2024 Canadian Swimming Open.