As longtime veteran NBC swimming analyst and Olympic champion Rowdy Gaines waxes poetic about the rivalry between the USA and Australia in the pool and the unparalleled depth of talent in the sport, he’s quick to include Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh.
Gaines has seen a lot in his more than four decades in the sport – and he likes what he’s seeing north of the border as Paris 2024 comes into focus.
“In my opinion, this is the greatest Olympic team in Canadian history heading into Paris,” Gaines told CBC Sports.
Gaines says it’ll be powerhouse nations USA and Australia fighting for the top of the medal table in Paris but Canada has entered the conversation as a serious contender. He points to McIntosh as being a global superstar.
“You have your Michael Phelps. You have your Summer,” he said.
“I think Summer hasn’t scratched the surface of what she’s capable of doing in Paris. I think her coaches know very well that she wasn’t going to have a problem qualifying at trials. They did with Summer what Katie is kind of doing here.”
At 17 years old, McIntosh is preparing for her second Olympics. She made her debut three years ago in Tokyo at just 14.
Since then, the teen swimming sensation has become a four-time world champion and is the world record holder in the 400-metre individual medley.
WATCH | McIntosh sets world record in 400m IM at Canadian trials:
Toronto’s Summer McIntosh broke her own world record in the women’s 400-metre individual medley, with a new best time of 4:24.38 at the 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Trials in Toronto.
Gaines says this iteration of Canadian swimmers mirrors the 1984 Canadian Olympic team that was also loaded with talent. At those boycotted Games in LA, Canada won 10 medals including four golds, three silvers and three bronze.
“I think it fits right into 40 years ago. Victor Davis. Alex Baumann. And so many other great Canadian swimmers. In 1984 Alex Baumann was unbelievable,” Gaines said.
“It’s not the same though. In this age and what Summer’s been able to do is nothing short of spectacular.”
This has been called the golden generation for Canadian swimming. Canada has captured six medals at the last two Olympics and all signs are pointing to a larger medal haul in Paris.
“Summer is a superstar. You’ve got Josh Liendo who can also be a superstar and you have these other supporting pieces that can put Canada on a huge pedestal when it comes to relays and other races,” Gaines said.
The Summer of McIntosh
Throughout the Australian Olympic trials and now the USA trials, McIntosh’s name is brought up on most days of competition and in many publications – she has become the measuring stick in many of the events she competes in.
McIntosh is expected to compete in four or five individual events in Paris as well as relays.
It sets up a tantalizing opening evening of competition in Paris when McIntosh will take on Australian great Ariarne Titmus and American legend Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle.
At the Aussie trials a couple of weeks ago, Titmus sent a statement with a swim of 3:55.44, just off her world record time. McIntosh posted a 3:59.06 at Canadian trials in May.
Earlier this week Ledecky posted a time of 3:58.35 in the distance. All three women have held the record in this event at some point.
WATCH | Canadian swim team primed to compete at Paris Games:
After a week of Olympic trials, Canada has its team of swimmers ready to hit the pool in Paris. The team has the expected big names like Summer McIntosh as well as some lesser known athletes with inspiring stories.
Many were calling this the race of the century ahead of last year’s world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Titmus left the competition in her wake, winning gold quite easily. McIntosh finished off the podium in fourth.
But Gaines believes that will change in Paris.
“It could be another race of the century. I know Titmus will be ready. I wouldn’t read into these trials too much. The Olympics can do wacky things to you. It can take your hands and put them right around your own throat while you’re swimming,” he said.
“I’m not saying it’s going to happen to Titmus and Summer and Katie, but it happens to people.”
The rivalry has hit a different level after last year’s world championship when the Australians topped the medal table with 13 golds, seven silvers and five bronze medals.
Questions were raised about what country should top the medal table – the nation with the most gold or the most total medals.
All that said, Australia is looking to shoot to the top of the medal standings in swimming for the first time at the Olympics in 68 years.
“The thing about Australia is we hate them. But when the race is over we love them,” Gaines said.
“They’re really good people and down to earth. But you want to crush them in the pool. I love talking smack with them.”
The Australians and the United States will be in the driver’s seat in many of the events at the pool throughout the competition at Paris 2024 but Gaines says both are now looking in their rearview mirror as Canadian athletes inch closer to the two countries leading the way.