CHINA-HAINAN-BOAO-MEDICAL TOURISM (CN)
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Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Swim star McIntosh eyeing gold with added challenge of extra event at upcoming worlds
Summer McIntosh has learned to manage hectic competition schedules better over the years. And with that has come a willingness to further challenge herself. The 18-year-old from Toronto has her sights set on wins in five events at the upcoming world aquatics championships in Singapore. McIntosh won four medals (three gold, one silver) at the Paris Olympics last year in her usual four events — the 200 individual medley, 200 butterfly, 400 individual medley and 400 freestyle. Adding the 800 freestyle has brought some added motivation this year. 'I'm always kind of juggling all four strokes, which is always a good time in training how to figure that out, along with adding in the 800,' she said. 'I've focused a little bit more on distance training. (…) It's never going to hurt when you're trying to finish a 400 free or a 400 IM, let alone an 800. 'But I think overall, I am just excited to see how I manage doing five events, which I've never done before on the world level. I did four in Paris and I think to add this new challenge this year really kept me motivated, so I'm excited to see how that goes.' McIntosh, who owns eight world championship medals, including four golds between the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley, had a few reasons for adding the 800 freestyle to her schedule at worlds, with the swimming events set to start July 26. The championships run from Friday to Aug. 3. She said facing Katie Ledecky would be an 'awesome challenge' and said the American 'being so strong in her top form right now this season is also really cool to see.' Ledecky owns the world record and has won the last four Olympic golds in the 800 freestyle. However, McIntosh said it was also a scheduling matter. If she had chosen the 200 freestyle or backstroke, she would have one more session than the 800 in the form of a semifinal race. McIntosh, who said she's open to competing in relay events as well, broke three world records (200 IM, 400 IM, 400 freestyle) out of the five events at Canadian swim trials in early June in Victoria. She was just .45 seconds off the 16-year-old world record in the 200 butterfly. Looking ahead to worlds, McIntosh aims to be even faster. 'I think the goal is always to be faster and that's how I approach every day in training,' she said. 'But I think the fun part of the sport is not knowing how fast you're gonna swim at a meet and those unknowns are really fun. But I mean, I'm feeling really strong in training.' McIntosh has been training in Antibes, France, with coach Fred Vergnoux for much of the year and credited the Frenchman for her feats so far in 2025. 'He's such an amazing coach and he has really taken me to the next level in the sport,' she said. 'And to do that with such a little time together is, I mean, it just shows how amazing he is at what he does.' McIntosh previously trained in Sarasota, Fla., under coach Brent Arckey and is set to join Bob Bowman, the longtime coach of swimming great Michael Phelps, in Austin, Texas, later in the summer. 'There's many, many reasons I made the decision to move to Austin and train under Bob Bowman,' she said. 'I mean, it's really amazing to see what he's done with Leon (Marchand), of course, and that's really inspiring, along with so many of his other current swimmers that are currently on the pro team and the university team as well. 'Along with, of, course, what he did with Michael. I mean that's never going to not be something that the swim world knows about, right?' In the meantime, McIntosh is sticking to the main thing: winning by any means, world record or not. 'My main goal in Singapore is just to get my hand on the wall first as many times as I can rather than the time,' she said. 'But, in doing so, we can also come with some world records, hopefully, so we'll have to see.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada captain Sophie de Goede starts on the bench in return from knee injury
Captain Sophie de Goede, returning to action after a 13-month injury absence, starts on the bench Saturday when Canada faces South Africa at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a women's rugby test match in Gqeberha, South Africa. The 26-year-old from Victoria last played May 19, 2024, in Canada's 22-19 win over World Cup champion New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series finale. De Goede tore her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. Second-ranked Canada defeated the 12th-ranked Springbok women 50-20 in a physical contest Saturday in Pretoria, improving its all-time record against South Africa to 5-0-0. Once again the women will take the field ahead of the men's match between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy for the second-straight week. The South African men won 42-24 in Pretoria. Only hooker Gillian Boag, lock-turned-flanker Laetitia Royer No. 8 Gabrielle Senft and fullback Julia Schell retain their place in the Canadian starting 15. 'One of the main purposes of this tour was to make sure all 32 players got valuable playing experience and to give them the opportunity to showcase themselves on the field,' head coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'It was a tough encounter in altitude last weekend, it's now time to keep growing and gaining experience with our next game. 'You'll see that there are a lot of changes to our team compared to last week but this tour was about building our depth and confidence ahead of the World Cup. I am excited to see how this group performances this week.' Rouet had said earlier that de Goede would see limited action off the bench, perhaps 20 minutes in her return to play. De Goede, one of three Canadians on World Rugby's 2024 Women's 15s Dream Team and a finalist for World Rugby's 2022 Women's 15s Player of the Year is in line to earn her 33rd cap. Carissa Norsten, named the 2024 HSBC SVNS Rookie of the Year, starts on the wing in her Canadian 15s debut while hooker Taylor McKnight, from the University of Guelph, is in line for her first cap off the bench. With stand-in skipper Alex Tessier not part of the matchday squad, veteran lock Tyson Beukeboom will lead Canada out Saturday, earning a record 76th cap. After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked U.S., on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. South Africa will play out of Group D with No. 4 France, No. 8 Italy and No. 28 Brazil. Canada's record is 13-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. Canada and New Zealand played to a 27-27 tie in May in Pacific Four Series play. Canada Roster Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont. Guelph Goats; Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Maddy Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, B.C., Exeter Chiefs (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.
Global News
4 hours ago
- Global News
Alberta government offering its own museum initiative as part of Canada Strong pass
Alberta's government is jumping on board a federal initiative aimed at saving Canadians a buck if they stay close to home this summer. The province says it's offering its own free and discounted admissions as part of the Canada Strong Pass program, introduced by the federal government last month. First promised as a way to promote Canadian tourism in response to the U.S. tariff war, the federal pass includes free access to national parks and historic sites, along with free rail tickets and museum admission for those under 18. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Until Sept. 2, the same free museum admission for kids — and half-price discount for 18- to 24-year-olds — will apply to Alberta museums and historic sites. Alberta Arts Minister Tanya Fir says it will drive more economic activity and showcase the province's history and culture. Story continues below advertisement Federal Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault says the federal government is pleased the province has joined up to make it easier for families to choose Canadian destinations.
