'It means the world': Canadian swimming star McIntosh honoured to be included in TIME100 Next list
18-year-old says she feels extra motivation, responsibility to try to inspire young kids
Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh's resume has yet another eye-popping accomplishment: being named to the TIME100 Next list.
The annual list released last week, now in its fifth iteration, is a who's who of artists, activists and athletes. It celebrates and highlights emerging leaders across a number of fields who are "shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership."
Under the phenom category is where you'll find McIntosh – fresh off her historic three gold medal performance, and a silver medal to go with it at the Paris Olympics.
She's the youngest person on the list at 18 years old.
WATCH | McIntosh joins CBC Sports to discuss her incredible year and TIME honour:
During the Olympics, while she was still 17, McIntosh became the first Canadian ever to win three gold medals in one Games.
"It means the world. I'm just honoured to be listed with so many other amazing athletes and people from all over the world," McIntosh told CBC Sports.
McIntosh will be one of the people in attendance at a gala on Wednesday night in New York City celebrating the individuals on the list.
When asked who she's most excited to meet, without hesitation, the teen quickly said singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter.
McIntosh says she's always wanted to attend one of her concerts – now they're on the same prestigious list and she's getting somewhat of a private performance from Carpenter, who will be singing at the event.
"She's one of my favourite singers. And the fact that she's performing there is mind-blowing. I'm so excited. I'm taking my friend Abby, and we're both huge fans of her. So it's going to be a great time," McIntosh said.
Written submission from the prime minister
Each person on the list had high profile people provide written submissions. McIntosh's submission was penned by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
"It couldn't be any more surreal. I remember my first call with him after the 400-metre individual medley gold at the Olympics and just being in complete shock that I was talking to the prime minister of Canada, and then talking to him again after the Games were over," McIntosh said.
"And now for him to nominate me for this list is just such an honour. I thank him for that because it's such a cool opportunity that he's gifted me."
In the written submission, Trudeau talks about how McIntosh's parents, Jill and Greg, used to heat up their backyard pool so Summer could swim during the winter.
"Her performances in the pool were remarkable as she brought our nation to its feet and inspired the new generation of Canadian swimmers to dream big," the prime minister wrote.
WATCH | McIntosh talks to CBC Sports' Devin Heroux after historic 3rd Olympic gold:
McIntosh, despite her age, already understands the role she's playing in helping motivate the current crop of great Canadian swimmers.
"That's always been a goal of mine in the sport, is to leave something behind that someone else could be inspired to do and to continue on. Just to know that I inspire people is probably one of the best parts of all of this," McIntosh said.
McIntosh has spent the last number of years training and living in Sarasota, Fla. Her coach Brent Arckey and his family live there, and McIntosh has forged strong friendships with many of the other swimmers who are part of the Sarasota Sharks swimming program.
With Hurricane Milton poised to hit Sarasota this week, Summer and her mom Jill left earlier this week, arriving to Toronto on Monday evening.
"There's a lot of concern right now and I'm just praying everyone is OK," McIntosh said.
Up next: short course worlds
After Wednesday's event in New York City, McIntosh will start ramping up her training for the short course world championships slated for early December in Budapest.
"Turns in general have always kind of been a working point for me. In and out of the wall, five meters in and five meters out is where I probably have the most improvement," McIntosh said.
The event will be held inside Duna Arena, a place that holds great memories for McIntosh.
It's where she claimed the first two long course world championship titles of her career, winning gold in the 200m fly and 400m IM.
She'll look to add a few more medals to her name in that same venue at the short course worlds starting Dec. 10.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
