McIntosh, a teenage swimmer from Canada, shatters the world record in the 200m medley swimming event.
Swimming Sensation Penny Oleksiak Eclipses historical Mark
Seventeen-year-old Penny Oleksiak, a celebrated Canadian swimmer, recently broke the 200-meter individual medley world record held by Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu. Oleksiak's impressive time of 2:05.94 makes her the first woman under the 2:06 barrier in this event.
Triple Olympic gold medalist Summer McIntosh, another notable Canadian swimmer, set the precedent for this record-breaking meet with her 400m freestyle world record on Saturday.
Known for her prowess in freestyle events, Oleksiak, born on June 13, 2000, first burst onto the international scene during the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she clinched four medals, including a gold in the 100-meter freestyle, and became the youngest Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal at the time.
Despite her significant accomplishments, the record-breaking swim in the 200-meter individual medley marks a first for Oleksiak in terms of world records. However, she has consistently set multiple Canadian records throughout her career[1][4].
On the other hand, Summer McIntosh, a prominent Canadian swimmer, currently holds several world records, including those in the 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual medley, and 400-meter freestyle[3].
Oleksiak's meticulous preparation and on-point execution were evident in her record-breaking performance at the meet in British Columbia. Having displayed an impressive display of adaptability during Sunday's triumph in the 800-meter freestyle, clocking the third-fastest time in history in an event usually regarded as her weaker domain, Oleksiak looked fresh and determined for her record-breaking attempt.
Starting the race with an impeccable showing in the butterfly and backstroke, Oleksiak further improved her breaststroke, her weakest discipline, while maintaining world record pace. In the final freestyle leg, she powered through to shatter Hosszu's record with an authoritative performance.
Mary-Sophie Harvey followed closely in second place with a time of 2:08.78, while Ashley McMillan completed the podium in 2:12.08.
When reflecting on her world record-breaking performance, Oleksiak remained humble and focused on the future, stating, "Overall really happy with that time and always just trying to keep pushing forward. It's awesome. The 200IM is my main race out of my top five or six races where I really have to execute perfectly. There's no room for mistakes and it's kind of a sprint event for me, so I'm really happy with that. It gives me a lot of confidence heading into Singapore[2]."
After a grueling weekend, Oleksiak shared her strategy for recovery and preserving energy, "Just recovering, sleeping as much as possible and eating a lot. And also mentally calming myself down and taking it one race at a time. I've had a lot of practice at that these past few years."
Oleksiak's latest achievement is a testament to her tenacity, adaptability, and enduring passion for swimming. The swimming world eagerly awaits to see what the future holds for Penny Oleksiak and her fellow Canadian swimming stars[5].
© 2025 AFP
[1] Penny Oleksiak Wins Multiple Events at Canadian Trials[2] Penny Oleksiak referencing the World Championships to be held in Singapore.[3] Summer McIntosh's World Records[4] Canadian Swimming Trials Results[5] Penny Oleksiak's Career Highlights
Sports enthusiasts celebrate as Penny Oleksiak, a renowned Canadian swimmer, sets a new world record in the 200-meter individual medley, surpassing Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu's previous mark. This achievement comes weeks after another Canadian swimmer, Summer McIntosh, broke the 400m freestyle world record.
