After an astounding Olympic showing where she clinched three individual golds and one silver in Paris, Summer McIntosh has been honored as Swimming Canada’s Female Swimmer of the Year for the third consecutive year. Josh Liendo, who achieved his first Olympic medal with a silver in the men’s 100 fly, has also been awarded Male […]
After an astounding Olympic showing where she clinched three individual golds and one silver in Paris, Summer McIntosh has been honored as Swimming Canada’s Female Swimmer of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Josh Liendo, who achieved his first Olympic medal with a silver in the men’s 100 fly, has also been awarded Male Swimmer of the Year for the third year in a row.
Additional accolades were given to Olympic Program Coach of the Year Greg Arkurst, while the Paralympic Swimmers of the Year were recognized as Aurelie Rivard and Nicholas Bennett.
MCINTOSH CONTINUES TO AMASS AWARDS IN 2024
Not only did McIntosh secure her third consecutive Canadian Female Swimmer of the Year award, but she was also named Junior Female Swimmer of the Year for a fourth straight time in her final eligibility year.
She proved to be a formidable competitor in her second Olympic participation in Paris, establishing new Olympic, World Junior, and Canadian Records while winning gold in the women’s 200 fly (2:03.03) and 200 IM (2:06.56), along with a third individual title in the women’s 400 IM (4:27.71).
At just 17 years old during the Games (now 18), she additionally secured a silver in the 400 free (3:58.37) and played a vital role in all three Canadian women’s relay teams, which concluded in fourth place, just missing out on a podium finish.
During the Olympic Trials in May, she broke her own world record in the 400 IM with a time of 4:24.38, making her the fastest swimmer in this event’s history by almost two seconds.
For her accomplishments, McIntosh was chosen as one of Canada’s flagbearers during the Closing Ceremonies and was included in the TIME100 Next list, receiving a commendation from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and attending a reception with fellow list members in New York City.
She emphasized the importance of her gold medal in the 200 fly, particularly as her mother, Jill (nee Horstead), competed in the same event at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Sharing that moment with my family, Team Canada and friends, all the support was incredible,” McIntosh shared with Swimming Canada. “The 200 fly is among my favorite events, if not the top. It was truly amazing,” she expressed.
Alongside her Olympic victories, McIntosh holds top-three global rankings for the 2024 calendar year in six events, leading in her three Olympic titles, ranking second in the women’s 800 free, and third in both the 200 and 400 free. Additionally, she holds 16th in the 100 fly, 28th in the 100 back, 36th in the 100 free, and 63rd in the 200 breast.
Her third consecutive Female Swimmer of the Year title ties her with Kylie Masse, who won the award three times from 2017 to 2019. Masse was Canada’s other female medalist in Paris, achieving bronze in the 200 back.
McIntosh aims for further successes later this month at the Short Course World Championships in Budapest.
LIENDO THREE-PEATS AS MALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
Liendo made history as the fifth swimmer ever to break the 50-second mark in the men’s 100 fly, achieving this under the immense pressure of an Olympic final.
The 22-year-old clocked a time of 49.99, breaking his Canadian Record and securing silver behind Kristof Milak, while fellow Canadian Ilya Kharun took bronze, making it a medal-earning event for Canada. Coupled with McIntosh’s gold in the 200 IM that evening, they achieved Canada’s first-ever three-medal night in Olympic swimming.
“I do contemplate it,” Liendo remarked about the 100 fly, as per Swimming Canada. “It was incredible to share the podium with Ilya.
“From my perspective and Ilya’s, and me being the first Black Canadian (swimmer) to medal at an Olympics, I believe it serves as motivation for our country and those who aspire to achieve. We hope to inspire the next generation and keep advancing the sport in Canada. I think swimming has significant potential for growth and should have a stronger presence in the country.”
In the 50 free event, Liendo initially placed ninth in the semifinals, barely missing the final, but was elevated into the top eight due to a withdrawal by France’s Maxime Grousset. He seized the chance, recording a time of 21.58 in the final to finish fourth, only two-hundredths away from another medal.
“It’s always disappointing to be fourth, but I was thankful to be in the competition and so close,” Liendo stated. “I gained valuable insights about perseverance in such situations.
“I persisted, and it paid off. It was quite a ride. The audience was thrilled for (bronze medalist Florent) Manaudou.”
Liendo additionally set a new Canadian Record of 21.48 in the 50 free during the Olympic Trials in May. While not directly related to this award win, he also showcased outstanding performances while representing the University of Florida at the 2024 Men’s NCAA Championships in March, sweeping the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly and contributing to two victorious relays for the Gators.
COACH OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS HONORED IN CALGARY
The trio of Coach of the Year recipients were acknowledged during the Canadian Swimming Congress in late September in Calgary.
Greg Arkhurst was distinguished as the 2024 Canadian Coach Of The Year – Olympic Program, Haley Bennett-Osborne as the 2024 Canadian Coach Of The Year – Paralympic Program, and Carl Simonson as the 2024 Canadian Junior Coach Of The Year.
Arkhurst, head coach of Montreal’s CAMO club, guided Mary-Sophie Harvey through a remarkable year, which included a fourth-place finish at the Olympics in the women’s 200 free. A two-time Olympian originally from the Ivory Coast, Arkhurst became the first Black coach appointed to the Canadian Olympic swimming team.
Bennett-Osborne mentored her brother Nicholas Bennett to achieve two gold medals and a silver at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, ultimately leading him to win the title of Canadian Male Para Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive time.
Bennett-Osborne serves as the head coach of Catalina Swim Club in Red Deer, Alberta.
“I’m proud of her as a swimmer, but even more so as a brother. She’s worked hard for this recognition throughout her life. She’s made sacrifices for me at times, but she truly embodies the greatness of our sport and absolutely deserves it,” Nicholas remarked.
Simonson, assistant head coach at the University of Calgary Swim Club, saw remarkable achievements from his swimmers this year, most notably the Junior Male Swimmer of the Year, Aiden Norman, who won gold in the boys’ 100 and 200 back at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in August.
Norman was among four UCSC swimmers who represented Canada in Canberra.
“It’s always nice to receive recognition, but it’s the athletes’ accomplishments that allow me to shine a bit,” said Simonson, who praised Norman’s growth from the 2022 Junior Pan Pacs to the 2023 World Juniors, and ultimately this summer’s Junior Pan Pacs.
“We essentially went 36 months without significant breaks,” Simonson commented. “Having a solid, trusting relationship can lead to tremendous achievements.”
OTHER AWARD WINNERS
- Nicholas Bennett was awarded Para Male Swimmer of the Year after earning three medals in Paris, winning gold in the men’s 100 breast SB14, the 200 IM SM14, and adding a silver in the 200 free S14.
- Aurelie Rivard secured Para Female Swimmer of the Year honors for the record-breaking seventh time, having claimed three medals at the 2024 Paralympics, including a third consecutive gold in the women’s 400 free S10. She has now achieved a total of 13 medals over four Paralympic events.
- Fresh from breaking a world record at the Ken Demchuk Invitational, Sebastian Massabie was recognized as the Breakout Swimmer of the Year in the Paralympic division, having earned Paralympic gold in the men’s 50 free S4 in Paris. The 19-year-old also placed fifth in the 100 free, sixth in the 200 free, and has repeatedly broken the world record in the 50 fly throughout the year.
- Blake Tierney was named Breakout Swimmer of the Year in the Olympic program after qualifying for his first Olympic team, establishing a new Canadian Record in the men’s 200 back (1:56.74) and also winning the 100 back (53.48) at the Canadian Olympic Trials. The 22-year-old finished 16th in the 100 back and 19th in the 200 back in Paris and led off the Canadian men’s 4×100 medley relay that finished fifth in the final.
- Norman received the title of Male Junior Swimmer of the Year after sweeping the backstroke events at Junior Pan Pacs, achieving personal best times of 53.73 in the 100 back and 1:57.67 in the 200 back during the meet. The 18-year-old collected six medals in total in Canberra, also participating in four medal-winning relays for the Canadian team.
Congratulations to Summer McIntosh and Josh Liendo on their impressive achievement of capturing the Canadian Swimmer of the Year awards for the third consecutive time! This remarkable feat highlights their incredible talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport. Both swimmers have consistently pushed the boundaries of excellence, and it’s exciting to see what they will accomplish in the future!