SWIMMING: Canada's McIntosh takes down last women's 'supersuit' world record

Canadian swimming star Summer McIntosh set a new world record in the women's 200-meter butterfly on Sunday, erasing the last remaining "supersuit" record during Canada's trials for the Pan Pacific Championships.

The 19-year-old Olympic and world champion finished in 2:01.65, surpassing the previous world record of 2:01.81 set by China's Liu Zige at the 2009 Chinese National Games. Liu's record was established during the era of polyurethane "supersuits," which were later banned from international competition, making it one of the sport's most enduring marks.

McIntosh had been closing in on the record in recent years. She became only the second woman to swim under 2:02.00 at last year's World Championships and now owns five of the six fastest times ever recorded in the event.

Overcome with emotion after the race, McIntosh said breaking the record in front of a home crowd was especially meaningful.

McIntosh now holds world records in four events: the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual medley, and 400-meter freestyle. She is expected to compete in the 400-meter individual medley on Monday, where she could improve another of her world records.

Already a three-time Olympic gold medalist from the Paris Games and an eight-time world champion since 2022, McIntosh continues to cement her status as one of the brightest stars in women's swimming while still in her teens. -Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman/Reuters