Canadian swimming prodigy Summer McIntosh has pulled out of the upcoming opening leg of the World Cup circuit in Carmel, Indiana due to illness. In a social media post, McIntosh expressed disappointment over her unexpected sickness and confirmed her withdrawal from the event based on medical advice. Despite her absence, she extended well wishes to the competitive field of elite swimmers participating in the tournament.
Having been in Carmel for pre-event preparations, McIntosh is now concentrating on recuperation. It remains uncertain whether she will be able to partake in the subsequent stop scheduled for Westmount, Illinois. The conclusion of the World Cup will take place at the Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto from October 23 to 25.
The World Cup series, comprising three high-stakes meets, showcases top athletes from the Olympics and world championships. A substantial prize pool of $1.2 million awaits participants, with an additional $10,000 bonus for any swimmer who breaks a world record during the competition.
A special incentive of $10,000 is set aside for the swimmer who achieves the “crown,” winning a single event across all three World Cup stops, as designated by World Aquatics. Besides McIntosh, notable Canadian swimmers such as Josh Liendo, Kylie Masse, Mary-Sophie Harvey, and Ilya Kharun are among those registered for the tour.
The international roster includes standout swimmers like Leon Marchand, Noe Ponti, Mollie O’Callaghan, Regan Smith, Thomas Ceccon, and Kaylee McKeown. McIntosh, who recently relocated to Austin, Texas to train under renowned coach Bob Bowman, had a remarkable performance at the world aquatics championships this summer. The 18-year-old clinched four gold medals and a bronze, making her one of the few swimmers in history to secure five individual medals at a single world championships.