It was only three years ago that then 14-year-old Summer McIntosh burst on the swimming scene at the COVID-19 delayed Tokyo Games as the youngest swimmer on the Canadian national team.
Although she didn’t take home any medals in the previous Summer Games, the Toronto native left a lasting impression and one that surely will have fans tuned in to her performances when the swimming portion of Paris Olympics begin on Friday, starting with the 400 freestyle.
Since making her Olympics debut, the 17-year-old has been busy solidifying herself as one of the rising stars in the sport. She enters Paris as the reigning world record holder in the 400 individual medley. She’s also captured four gold medals in the 400 individual medley and the 200 butterfly at the 2022 and 2023 World Aquatics Championships respectively.
At the World Championships, McIntosh was dubbed a “teen swimming sensation” as her four gold medals in world championship competition are the most by any Canadian swimmer. At the Paris Olympics, McIntosh is slated to swim in the 400 freestyle, 400 individual medley, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
It is possible that McIntosh could also compete as a relay swimmer for Canada. However, as McIntosh prepares to pursue her Olympic dreams once again, her family has been the glue to her thriving on the world’s biggest stage. What does McIntosh’s family tree look like? Here's a record of the most important branches that played a part in her becoming the youngest member of the Canadian team at the Tokyo Games:
MORE: How Summer McIntosh compares to Katie Ledecky at age 17
Summer McIntosh parents
Jill McIntosh
Jill McIntosh, formerly Jill Horstead, is the mother of Summer and her sister, Brooke. When it comes to figuring out where Summer received her athletic prowess, look no further than her mother. Jill was a swimmer on the Canadian Olympic team in the 1980s. She competed in the 1983 Pan Am Games in Venezuela at 16. At those games, she finished fourth in the 200 butterfly. Jill also competed in the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles where she won a 200 breaststroke final to finish ninth and earned a bronze medal in the same competition at the Commonwealth Games in 1986.
Greg McIntosh
Greg McIntosh is the father of the two sisters. He’s been very instrumental and supportive of Summer’s progression as a world-class athlete. In January 2021, Greg was diagnosed with cancer. However, he went through the necessary treatments and is now cancer free.
MORE: Inside Summer McIntosh's records so far (including a win over Katie Ledecky)
Does Summer McIntosh have a sister?
Summer has a sister, 19-year-old Brooke McIntosh. While Summer is thriving in the pool with her incredible performances, Brooke is building a spectacular career of her own as a Canadian pair skater. Brooke, the older sister to Summer, was born on Jan. 5, 2005, in Toronto.
Brooke McIntosh figure skating career
Brooke has put together an impressive resume of wins in her figure skating career. She and her then partner, Toste, captured a gold medal in the novice class and broke a Canadian record at the 2018 Canadian Championships. She also won the 2022 Canadian National Junior Championships with her partner Benjamin Mimar. The two also competed in the Bavarian Open, making their international debut and winning the event in convincing fashion.
After her partnership ended with Mimar in February, it was announced that she teamed up with a new partner Marco Zandron. The Canadian and Italian and Spanish skater are competing for Spain.
Where is Summer McIntosh from?
Summer, like her sister, is also from Toronto. She was born Aug. 18, 2006.
