Waiting – for the next Olympics and even for another world championships meet – might be McIntosh’s greatest challenge

As McIntosh topped the podium, fellow young swimmers at Lakeshore Swim Club in Etobicoke, Ont., a Toronto neighbourhood west of downtown, cheered on. Club president Tara Smith said they reminisced about McIntosh swimming for the club in her early years.

Also Thursday, Canada placed sixth in the women’s 4x200 freestyle relay final, with Brooklyn Douthwright, Sienna Angove, Ella Cosgrove and Ella Jansen finishing in 7:52.52. Australia won gold in 7:39.35, ahead of the United States (7:40.01) and China (7:42.99).