A 16-year-old Canadian has shattered Ariarne Titmus’ 400m freestyle world record by 32 hundredths of a second.
Summer McIntosh achieved the feat at the Canadian swimming trials in Toronto where she touched the wall at 3:56:08 to send the crowd into raptures.
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The teenager’s time is also her first world record having already conquered several world junior and national records.
Titmus set the previous world record for the 400m freestyle at the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships in May with a time of 3:56:40.
Speaking after achieving the astonishing feat, McIntosh fought back tears as she detailed the incredible journey to get to this moment.
“I’m not a crier,” McIntosh told CBC Sports.
“It’s absolutely incredible. I’m not an emotional person. But I was hit with so much emotion. Pure euphoria right now. I’m just so grateful for everyone who got me to this point.
“Over the past few years I’ve put my life into this. To be the best I can be.
“To achieve something like this, it was very unexpected. It was never in my dreams to do this tonight or even a few years ago.
“This just blows my mind.”
McIntosh’s head coach Brent Arckey was lost for words at his pupil’s accomplishment.
“I’m not really sure what to say right now,” Arckey said.
“I’m trying to hold it all in. But celebrating her. This is a special thing.
“I’ve seen her do some really special stuff in practice. I’m just super proud of her. She’s one of the best racers I’ve ever seen.”
McIntosh’s triumph undoubtedly sets the scene for the salivating prospect of her, Titmus and American swim great Katie Ledecky jostling for the 400m freestyle crown at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
