2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
- Friday, July 29 – Wednesday, August 3, 2022
- Birmingham, England
- Sandwell Aquatic Center
- Start Times
- Prelims: 10:30 am local / 5:30 am ET
- Finals: 7:00 pm local / 2:00 pm ET
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- Event Schedule
- Entry List
After initially being on the entry list for the women’s 200 butterfly, 15 year old Summer McIntosh of Canada has withdrawn from the event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games set to begin on Friday in Birmingham, England.
Swimming Canada has confirmed the withdrawal and National Coach John Atkinson spoke of the withdrawal saying, “With the world championships and Commonwealth Games running back-to-back this year, it’s a very intense workload for our swimmers, especially one as young as Summer. The schedule at these Games is compressed into six days, Summer is adding the 200-m individual medley to her program for development purposes, and she will be an important contributor on relays as well,” Atkinson said. “She’s made the decision to withdraw from the 200-m butterfly with our full support. This will allow her to focus on the other events on her program here, and we will continue to support her on her path to Paris 2024.”
With the scratch of McIntosh, Canada will still be represented by teenager Ella Jansen who is entered with a time of 2:10.00 as well as Mabel Zavaros who is entered with a 2:11.68.
McIntosh is the second big name to drop an event they were expected to contend in this week. Earlier this week, Australia’s Kaylee McKeown dropped the women’s 400 IM, an event which now leaves McIntosh as the swimmer to beat.
McIntosh’s New Schedule
| SESSION | EVENT(S) |
| Day 1 Prelims | Women’s 400 IM heats |
| Day 1 Finals | Women’s 400 IM final |
| Day 2 Prelims | off |
| Day 2 Finals | Women’s 4×100 free relay final |
| Day 3 Prelims | off |
| Day 3 Finals | Women’s 4×200 free relay final |
| Day 4 Prelims | Women’s 200 IM heats |
| Day 4 Finals | Women’s 200 IM final |
| Day 5 Prelims | Off |
| Day 5 Finals | Off |
| Day 6 Prelims | Women’s 400 free heats |
| Day 6 Finals | Women’s 400 free final |
The biggest difference here is that McIntosh will now have the fifth day completely off. Notably, she was silver in the 400 free at the 2022 World Championships which she now will have an off day to allow rest and preparation for.
The scratch of McIntosh in the 200 fly leaves the event a little more wide open as to who is the favorite to win. McIntosh was originally the favorite winning the event after winning the event at 2022 Worlds in a 2:05.20, setting a World Junior Record in the process.
Tremendous decision. This frees her up to be at her best against Titmus while also providing better gauge of her 200 medley capabilities.
Why did anyone care about her waiting at the wall after finishing 200 butterfly?
Could see her beating Kaylee in the 2IM but I’m still glad McIntosh is keeping the event with competition instead of just time trialing to another 2 fly gold.
OH Dear, soft I heard yesterday with McKeown, next was Finke & now McIntosh!!!!
Excellent choice!!!
An interesting decision but hey, this is a year (with a completely fouled up competition calendar) where if you’re going to trial some different events internationally; this is the time to do so.
She IS giving away a “sure thing” gold by doing so but, in the scheme of things, a World title ranks way above CG gold and she’s already put that World title in the bank.
Am curious with regards to what she may contribute to 4X100; given Titmus has dropped in a 53mid this year and this may be to the benefit of her 200IM & 400FR.
I don’t get it. I always think it’s best to swim your best events when you are on form. Strike while the iron is hot. I suppose whem you have a WC gold a CWGs gols is not that big of a deal.
Maybe Canada doesn’t care about CG as much as Australia and GB do. Many big names don’t even swim at all.
If she’d like to try 200 IM at international stage, this is perhaps her best chance.
She did and is. She’s been 210 200IM in the spring. She could pop a 208 and win. This is the meet especially after worlds to mix it up a bit, looking ahead big picture.
2:07 low…
Yes ! But for a few years, we will be unable to predict Summer’s times as her potential is prodigious and perhaps still unknown.
Maybe she wants to really push her 400 Free against Titmus and it make sense to have a rest day before that.
Giving away an easy gold, while in 400m free and 200 im she’ll most probably end up second
Warrior mentality, going up against the best ie Titmus… Good for her!
Yes, it looks like giving up the easier gold in order to be better rested to take on Titmus (without waiting until 2024).
They’ll race again next year in Fukuoka.
If Titmus has said she intends to race Ledecky before Paris, I haven’t seen it.
She’s also given no indication that she’ll skip Worlds next year which is the only major meet next year and she’ll also be expected to compete at a major meet by her sponsors and Swimming Australia. She was able to skip Worlds this year because she has Comm Games as an alternative.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see her win the 200 im
Not good news for Kaylee McKeown, perhaps.
Good news for Dekkers though!