Gold medalist Summer McIntosh of Canada attends the victory ceremony for the women's 200m individual medley of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
PARIS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Canada's Summer McIntosh completed an Olympic hat-trick of gold medals when she won the women's 200m individual medley in a new Olympic record of two minutes, 06.56 seconds.
She added this gold to the gold medals she had already won in the pool in the 200m butterfly and 400m medley to become the first Canadian to win three gold medals at the same Olympic Games.
"It's pretty surreal. I'm just so proud of myself and how I've been able to recover and manage events," said the swimmer, who put her success down to "hard work and dedication," and "all my family and my teammates, and my coaches have also worked so hard for me to be here today," commented the swimmer.
She said she owed that "so many (athletes) before me that have led the way and inspired me to be where I am today. I really owe a lot back to them."
A race that saw the lead change hands three times was finally decided in the last 25 meters as McIntosh produced a stunning finish on the freestyle to overtake Kate Douglass of the United States, who finished in 2:06.92, while Kaylee McKeown took bronze in 2:08.08, while Yu Yiting of China finished in fourth.
The American duo of Douglass and Alex Walsh (who was later disqualified) were leading after the butterfly, before McIntosh retook the lead on the backstroke.
It looked as if a powerful third leg on the breaststroke would win it for Douglass, but McIntosh found a turn of speed to overtake the American and claim her historic third medal of the Games, along with a silver from the 400 meters freestyle. ■
Gold medalist Summer McIntosh (C) of Canada, Silver medalist Kate Douglass (L) of the United States and bronze medalist Kaylee McKeown of Australia take selfies during the victory ceremony for the women's 200m individual medley of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
Gold medalist Summer McIntosh (L) of Canada and silver medalist Kate Douglass of the United States attend the victory ceremony for the women's 200m individual medley of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
Gold medalist Summer McIntosh of Canada attends the victory ceremony for the women's 200m individual medley of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
Summer McIntosh of Canada reacts after the women's 200m individual medley final of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Summer McIntosh (C) of Canada competes during the women's 200m individual medley final of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
Summer McIntosh (C) of Canada competes during the women's 200m individual medley final of swimming at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)
