World champion swimmer McIntosh withdraws from 200 at Commonwealth Games

TORONTO — Canadian world champion swimmer Summer McIntosh has withdrawn from the women's 200-metre butterfly at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Swimming Canada high performance director and national coach John Atkinson said pulling out of that event will allow McIntosh to concentrate on other events during a busy season.

The 15-year-old from Toronto will have a busy Games regardless. She's swimming in the 400-metre freestyle, 200 and 400 individual medleys and relays.

McIntosh became the first Canadian to win two gold medals at a world aquatics championships last month, finishing first in the women's 200-metre butterfly and the women's 400-metre individual medley.

McIntosh also won silver in the 400-metres freestyle and helped Canada to bronze in the women's 4x200-metres freestyle relay, becoming the first Canadian to take home four medals form one world championship.

Decorated Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak announced before the start of the world championships that she would not be competing in Birmingham, citing the quick turnaround between the championships and the Commonwealth Games.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2022.