In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh has rewritten the history books by obliterating the women's 400 IM World Record at the 2024 Short Course World Championships held in Budapest, Hungary. With a phenomenal time of 4:15.48, McIntosh eclipsed the previous record of 4:18.94 set by Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain back in 2017. In doing so, she has not only achieved her third World Record but also set a new World Junior Record, surpassing her own previous mark of 4:21.49 from 2022.

The 400 IM, known for its combination of all four swimming strokes, saw McIntosh dominate right from the outset. Her remarkable performance included blazing splits that left her competitors in her wake, showcasing her exceptional speed and endurance. She finished the race well ahead of her rivals, with Katie Grimes of the USA coming in second at 4:20.15, which also marked a new American Record by a significant margin of four seconds.

Key Performances:

- Top 8 Finishers: 1. Summer McIntosh (CAN) - 4:15.48 2. Katie Grimes (USA) - 4:20.15 (New American Record) 3. Abbie Wood (GBR) - 4:24.34 4. Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN) - 4:26.09 5. Ellen Walshe (IRL) - 4:29.86 6. Kayla Hardy (AUS) - 4:30.01 7. Tara Kinder (AUS) - 4:30.87 8. Emma Carrasco (ESP) - 4:31.18

Race Breakdown:

McIntosh's prowess was evident as she finished the butterfly leg nearly two seconds ahead of the World Record pace, setting the tone for the rest of the race. While Belmonte was quicker on the breaststroke leg, McIntosh's early lead was insurmountable. Her final lap was a blistering 28.54 seconds, capping off a monumental achievement in her young career.

This victory adds to McIntosh's impressive portfolio following her stellar performances during the recent Paris Olympics, where she claimed three individual gold medals.

Notable American Record:

Katie Grimes, the emerging star from the USA, not only gained recognition for finishing second but also for breaking the American Record in the process. Her time of 4:20.15 slices through the previous American mark of 4:24.15 set by Melanie Margalis in 2019. Grimes demonstrated her promise with strong splits, despite facing a temporary setback during the breaststroke leg.

As McIntosh continues to dazzle in the pool, her record-breaking performances are igniting excitement in the swimming world. The future looks incredibly bright for this young athlete, and fans cannot wait to see what she will achieve next!