Bob Bowman, the coach behind Michael Phelps’s record-breaking Olympic career, has drawn striking parallels between the decorated American swimmer and Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh. Bowman, who began working with McIntosh last fall in Austin, Texas, described the 19-year-old as “scarily similar” to Phelps, citing her competitive nature, discipline, and ability to perform under pressure.
McIntosh, a four-time Olympic medalist and eight-time world champion, recently set a new world record in the women’s 200-metre butterfly at the Canadian trials, clocking 2:01.65. This achievement surpassed Liu Zige’s long-standing record of 2:01.81 set in 2009 during the era of now-banned “super suits.” The Canadian swimmer’s events closely resemble those of Phelps, with McIntosh aiming for an ambitious target of five gold medals at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I’ve seen a lot of the same traits Michael had,” Bowman said during a session at Montreal’s Olympic pool. “She has a very clear way of preparing for races, with a set routine from arrival to post-swim recovery.” Despite these similarities, Bowman also noted that McIntosh’s training and recovery needs differ somewhat from Phelps’s. “She takes more rest than you’d expect from someone her age,” Bowman explained, emphasizing the importance of tailoring her training approach.
McIntosh joined Bowman’s group alongside notable swimmers such as French star Léon Marchand, sharpening her skills in a highly competitive environment. The Canadian swimmer has also worked with coaches including Fred Vergnoux and Brent Arckey in recent years. She credited Bowman’s consistency, daily professionalism, and positive mindset as factors that have elevated her performance. “It’s a competitive atmosphere, but we also have fun,” McIntosh said.
Swimming Canada’s high-performance director John Atkinson compared Bowman to legendary coaching figures in other sports, such as hockey’s Scotty Bowman and Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson, highlighting Bowman’s record of developing serial winners.
McIntosh, who signed with Octagon—the agency representing Phelps—has embraced the challenge of training with elite athletes like Marchand, Hubert Kos, and Regan Smith. She described the experience as both intimidating and motivating, saying it has helped her grow both in and out of the pool.
Her mother, Jill McIntosh, a former Canadian Olympian herself, noted a shift in the young athlete’s life. While McIntosh remains intensely focused on swimming, she is also enjoying the social aspects of life, balancing fun and discipline. “She likes to have fun but is all business when it comes to training,” Jill McIntosh said, referring to her daughter’s move to downtown Austin, a city known for its vibrant nightlife.
Bowman expressed satisfaction at seeing glimpses of McIntosh's lighter side, having finally made her laugh during practice. Despite the comparisons to Phelps, he acknowledged that McIntosh is her own athlete, requiring an individualized approach to training and recovery as she pursues her goal of becoming one of the greatest swimmers in history.
McIntosh’s immediate competition includes upcoming events at the Canadian trials—the 400 individual medley, 400 freestyle, and 200 individual medley—before representing Canada at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California. With Bowman’s guidance and her own relentless ambition, McIntosh is positioning herself as a dominant force in international swimming for years to come.