Legendary swimming coach Bob Bowman has witnessed and coached many athletes to world records over his illustrious career.
But being part of his first one while coaching Canadian swimming superstar Summer McIntosh – specifically in the 200m butterfly – on Sunday night in Montreal felt a little different for the veteran coach.
It was the longest standing women’s world record, from the supersuit era of 2009.
Summer took it down, and Bowman took it all in.
“In terms of significance, it’s very important because it’s the last supersuit record for the women. Still got some in the men but for the women that’s it,” he said.
Bowman says he always gets a treat on the evening after a world record – on Sunday night, it was apple pie.
For years, Bowman and his swimming colleagues talked about this specific world record being untouchable. He said that started to change when McIntosh dipped into the 2:02 range – then he says it started to become a reality that came to fruition Sunday night.
Canada’s Summer McIntosh breaks 200-metre butterfly world record time at Canadian swimming trials
Michael Phelps, whom Bowman coached to 28 Olympic medals, posted about McIntosh’s feat on social media. Bowman says he’s heard from “pretty much everybody” in the last 20 hours or so following her memorable swim.
Speaking to CBC Sports ahead of the second night of finals at the Canadian swimming trials, Bowman said it’s clear McIntosh loves swimming at home.
McIntosh has now broken world records at four consecutive national trials going back to 2023 in Toronto, then last year in Victoria and now at the Olympic pool in Montreal.
“She loves it. It’s a great environment for her. Number one, there’s so much support from the whole country here. She doesn’t get that a lot. She swims in America most of the time or other places. So I think that’s important,” Bowman said.
“She wants to do well at home and it kind of sets up to do some of these spectacular times.”
Bowman watched Sunday night as the large crowd at the Olympic pool in Montreal cheered wildly as McIntosh touched the wall in a time of 2:01.65 to break the 200m fly world record.
Summer McIntosh breaks 17-year-old 200m butterfly world record on Day 1 of Trials
He said she’s playing a large role in redefining swimming culture in Canada.
“Just last night when I came over when she was with you in the media area, the entire section here was lined with kids. So that was amazing and it’ll inspire the next generation.”
McIntosh now holds four individual long course world records. The list of swimmers who have done that is small.
And for as dominant as McIntosh has been, Bowman believes she’s only now entering the height of superpower at 19 years old.
“I think she’s entering it, probably in the next four years,” he said.
“I think she can be stronger. There are a lot of things that we can add to help her be faster. I think just in terms of her physiological maturity kind of now and in the next few years.”
Summer McIntosh breaks women’s 200m butterfly world record at Canadian swim trials
Will Summer McIntosh break more records at the Canadian trials?
Bowman credits McIntosh’s consistency for her ability to continue performing at such a high level – both in and out of the pool.
“She’s rock solid every day and she knows what it’s going to take. She’s willing to put in the work. She’s very serious about the work, probably too serious about the work. She’s more serious than I am about the work. She understands that part very, very well,” he said.
When asked what her fastest time ever in the 200m butterfly means for the rest of the Canadian swimming trials in Montreal, Bowman says
“I think certainly once something like that happens, the likelihood of it happening again is much greater, right? But we’ll have to see how it goes tonight,” he said.
“I would say she’s probably more prepared in some ways for some of these other races, but we’ll see how it goes.
