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At 16 Years, 222 Days Young, How Does Summer McIntosh’s World Record Rank?

Comments: 32

How rare is it for a 16-year-old to break a World Record?

Canada’s Summer McIntosh zoomed ahead of schedule on Tuesday when she broke a World Record in the women’s 400-meter freestyle. It’s not that anybody doubted that World Records were in her future – with the number of jaw-dropping junior marks she was clearing, the crystal ball was clear on where her career was headed.

But the three-plus second drop on Tuesday was a leap even beyond those expectations, and one that pushed McIntosh into rarer air in the global swimming.

But I wanted to know just how rare it was. First things first, let’s get this out of the way: breaking a World Record puts you in a tiny fraction of a tiny fraction of people who ever don a cap and goggles.

But we also know that it isn’t unheard of for the best swimmer(s) in the world to be as young as 14, though it’s becoming less-and-less common with each passing generation.

It turns out, that when we zoom-in on the world of records (focused on long course only), her mark is not that young. In fact, 247 World Records by 90 swimmers have been set at a younger age.

But if we chop the timeline down to World Records broken since the year 2000, though, a different picture emerges.

Only 13 World Records in that time period have been broken by swimmers at a younger age, and for the most part, that list is a true ‘murderer’s row’ of swimming. Michael Phelps, Emily Seebohm, Sarah Sjostrom, Ruta Meilutyte, Katie Ledecky, and Shiwen Ye are among the names to have done so.

Youngest Long Course World Record Breakers in the 2000s:

Event Gender Time Athlete Country Date Birth Age
200 butterfly Men 1:54.92 Michael Phelps USA 3/30/2001 6/30/1985 15 years, 273 days
50 back Women 27.95 Emily Seebohm AUS 3/22/2008 6/5/1992 15 years, 291 days
50 breast Women 30.23 Amanda Reason CAN 7/8/2009 8/22/1993 15 years, 320 days
100 butterfly Women 56.44 Sarah Sjöström SWE 7/26/2009 8/17/1993 15 years, 343 days
100 butterfly Women 56.06 Sarah Sjöström SWE 7/27/2009 8/17/1993 15 years, 344 days
200 butterfly Men 1:54.58 Michael Phelps USA 7/24/2001 6/30/1985 16 years, 24 days
200 breast Women 2:22.99 Hui Qi CHN 4/13/2001 1/13/1985 16 years, 90 days
100 breast Women 1:04.35 Rūta Meilutytė LTU 7/29/2013 3/19/1997 16 years, 132 days
1500 free Women 15:36.53 Katie Ledecky USA 7/30/2013 3/17/1997 16 years, 135 days
50 breast Women 29.48 Rūta Meilutytė LTU 8/3/2013 3/19/1997 16 years, 137 days
800 free Women 8:13.86 Katie Ledecky USA 8/3/2013 3/17/1997 16 years, 139 days
50 breast Women 29.30 Benedetta Pilato ITA 5/22/2021 1/28/2005 16 years, 144 days
400 IM Women 4:28.43 Shiwen Ye CHN 7/28/2012 3/1/1996 16 years, 149 days
400 free Women 3:56.08 Summer McIntosh CAN 3/28/2023 18/08/2006 16 years, 222 days

In the 2010s, only Meilutyte, Ledecky, and Ye were younger, and in the 2020s, only Benedetta Pilato’s 50 breaststroke from 2021 came from a younger swimmer.

Here are a few different relevant ways to dice up the data:

  • She is the 5th-youngest Canadian (7th-youngest record) to do so. Nancy Garapick broke the 200 back World Record in 1975 at just 13 years, 215 days old. McIntosh is the youngest Canadian to do so since 2009.
  • Of the 247 World Records broken at a younger age, 230 were done by women and 17 by men.
  • This is the 18th-youngest World Record swim in the women’s 400 free and 14th-youngest swimmer to break the World Record in the women’s 400 free.
  • The last time the 400 free was broken by a younger swimmer was Janet Evans in 1987, 36 years ago.
  • The 400 free sits about mid-pack in terms of rarest World Records by female swimmers this young. The 800 free is the most common (29), while the 50 fly has never been broken by a swimmer this young.

All-Time Youngest World Records in Long Course Meters:

Event Gender Time Athlete Country Date Birth Age
400 IM Women 5:36.5 Donna de Varona USA 7/15/1960 4/26/1947 13 years, 80 days
800 free Women 9:47.3 Patty Caretto USA 7/30/1964 1/4/1951 13 years, 208 days
1500 free Women 18:30.5 Patty Caretto USA 7/30/1964 1/4/1951 13 years, 208 days
1500 free Women 16:49.90 Jennifer Turrall AUS 12/9/1973 5/9/1960 13 years, 214 days
200 back Women 2:16.33 Nancy Garapick CAN 4/27/1975 9/24/1961 13 years, 215 days
800 free Women 8:50.1 Jennifer Turrall AUS 1/5/1974 5/9/1960 13 years, 241 days
1500 free Women 16:48.2 Jennifer Turrall AUS 1/9/1974 5/9/1960 13 years, 245 days
800 free Women 10:17.7 Ilsa Konrads AUS 1/9/1958 3/29/1944 13 years, 286 days
200 back Women 2:27.1 Karen Muir RSA 7/25/1966 9/16/1952 13 years, 312 days
800 free Women 10:16.2 Ilsa Konrads AUS 2/20/1958 3/29/1944 13 years, 328 days
200 breast Women 2:33.32 Yuliya Bogdanova URS 4/7/1978 4/27/1964 13 years, 345 days
200 IM Women 2:40.1 Donna de Varona USA 5/13/1961 4/26/1947 14 years, 17 days
200 breast Women 2:37.44 Karla Linke GDR 8/19/1974 6/29/1960 14 years, 51 days
200 breast Women 2:34.99 Karla Linke GDR 8/19/1974 6/29/1960 14 years, 51 days
200 IM Women 2:29.0 Lynn Vidali USA 7/22/1966 5/26/1952 14 years, 57 days
100 back Women 1:05.39 Ulrike Richter GDR 8/18/1973 6/17/1959 14 years, 62 days
1500 free Women 16:43.4 Jennifer Turrall AUS 7/13/1974 5/9/1960 14 years, 65 days
200 IM Women 2:37.2 Donna de Varona USA 7/9/1961 4/26/1947 14 years, 74 days
800 free Women 10:11.8 Ilsa Konrads AUS 6/13/1958 3/29/1944 14 years, 76 days
100 back Women 1:04.99 Ulrike Richter GDR 9/4/1973 6/17/1959 14 years, 79 days
1500 free Women 16:39.28 Jennifer Turrall AUS 8/3/1974 5/9/1960 14 years, 86 days
100 breast Women 1:11.93 Carola Nitschke GDR 6/2/1976 3/1/1962 14 years, 93 days
400 IM Women 5:34.5 Donna de Varona USA 8/11/1961 4/26/1947 14 years, 107 days
1500 free Women 16:33.94 Jennifer Turrall AUS 8/25/1974 5/9/1960 14 years, 108 days
200 IM Women 2:35.0 Donna de Varona USA 8/12/1961 4/26/1947 14 years, 108 days
100 breast Women 1:10.31 Yuliya Bogdanova URS 8/22/1978 4/27/1964 14 years, 117 days
200 breast Women 2:31.09 Svetlana Varganova URS 3/30/1979 11/19/1964 14 years, 131 days
100 free Women 58.9 Shane Gould AUS 4/30/1971 11/23/1956 14 years, 158 days
200 free Women 2:06.5 Shane Gould AUS 5/1/1971 11/23/1956 14 years, 159 days
200 IM Women 2:23.01 Kornelia Ender GDR 4/13/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 170 days
100 butterfly Women 1:03.05 Kornelia Ender GDR 4/14/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 171 days
200 back Women 2:14.41 Antje Stille GDR 2/29/1976 9/8/1961 14 years, 174 days
200 back Women 2:13.50 Antje Stille GDR 3/13/1976 9/8/1961 14 years, 187 days
200 free Women 1:58.53 Cynthia “Sippy” Woodhead USA 8/22/1978 2/7/1964 14 years, 196 days
200 back Women 2:37.4 Chris von Saltza USA 8/1/1958 1/13/1944 14 years, 200 days
100 breast Women 1:17.9 Claudia Kolb USA 7/11/1964 12/19/1949 14 years, 205 days
1500 free Women 18:23.7 Patty Caretto USA 8/12/1965 1/4/1951 14 years, 220 days
400 free Women 4:21.2 Shane Gould AUS 7/9/1971 11/23/1956 14 years, 228 days
200 IM Women 2:48.2 Patty Kempner USA 4/27/1957 8/24/1942 14 years, 246 days
200 butterfly Women 2:09.77 Mary T. Meagher USA 7/7/1979 10/27/1964 14 years, 253 days
100 free Women 58.25 Kornelia Ender GDR 7/13/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 261 days
100 butterfly Women 1:02.31 Kornelia Ender GDR 7/14/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 262 days
200 butterfly Women 2:08.41 Mary T. Meagher USA 8/16/1979 10/27/1964 14 years, 293 days
200 butterfly Women 2:07.01 Mary T. Meagher USA 8/16/1979 10/27/1964 14 years, 293 days
100 butterfly Women 1:13.7 Atie Voorbij NED 7/14/1955 9/20/1940 14 years, 297 days
100 free Women 58.12 Kornelia Ender GDR 8/18/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 297 days
100 free Women 57.61 Kornelia Ender GDR 9/8/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 318 days
100 free Women 57.542 Kornelia Ender GDR 9/9/1973 10/25/1958 14 years, 319 days
800 free Women 8:43.48 Jennifer Turrall AUS 3/31/1975 5/9/1960 14 years, 326 days
800 free Women 10:11.4 Ilsa Konrads AUS 2/19/1959 3/29/1944 14 years, 327 days
800 free Women 9:35.8 Debbie Meyer USA 7/9/1967 8/14/1952 14 years, 329 days
1500 free Women 18:11.1 Debbie Meyer USA 7/9/1967 8/14/1952 14 years, 329 days
400 free Women 4:32.6 Debbie Meyer USA 7/27/1967 8/14/1952 14 years, 347 days
800 free Women 9:22.9 Debbie Meyer USA 7/29/1967 8/14/1952 14 years, 349 days
200 free Women 2:05.8 Shane Gould AUS 11/26/1971 11/23/1956 15 years, 3 days
400 free Women 4:29.0 Debbie Meyer USA 8/18/1967 8/14/1952 15 years, 4 days
1500 free Women 17:50.2 Debbie Meyer USA 8/20/1967 8/14/1952 15 years, 6 days
800 free Women 8:58.1 Shane Gould AUS 12/3/1971 11/23/1956 15 years, 10 days
1500 free Women 17:00.6 Shane Gould AUS 12/12/1971 11/23/1956 15 years, 19 days
200 back Women 2:18.41 Ulrike Richter GDR 7/7/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 20 days
100 back Women 1:04.43 Ulrike Richter GDR 7/8/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 21 days
400 IM Women 5:29.7 Donna de Varona USA 6/2/1962 4/26/1947 15 years, 37 days
200 butterfly Women 2:29.1 Sue Pitt USA 7/27/1963 6/18/1948 15 years, 39 days
100 free Women 58.5 Shane Gould AUS 1/8/1972 11/23/1956 15 years, 46 days
800 free Women 9:55.6 Jane Cederqvist SWE 8/17/1960 7/1/1945 15 years, 47 days
100 back Women 1:04.09 Ulrike Richter GDR 8/22/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 66 days
800 free Men 8:17.60 Stephen Holland AUS 8/5/1973 5/31/1958 15 years, 66 days
1500 free Men 15:37.80 Stephen Holland AUS 8/5/1973 5/31/1958 15 years, 66 days
100 back Women 1:03.30 Ulrike Richter GDR 8/23/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 67 days
100 back Women 1:03.08 Ulrike Richter GDR 8/24/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 68 days
1500 free Women 19:23.6 Jane Cederqvist SWE 9/8/1960 7/1/1945 15 years, 69 days
200 back Women 2:17.35 Ulrike Richter GDR 8/25/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 69 days
200 back Women 2:21.5 Susie Atwood USA 8/14/1968 6/5/1953 15 years, 70 days
100 back Women 1:02.98 Ulrike Richter GDR 9/1/1974 6/17/1959 15 years, 76 days
1500 free Women 16:14.93 Tracey Wickham AUS 2/8/1978 11/24/1962 15 years, 76 days
200 breast Women 2:27.27 Allison Higson CAN 5/28/1988 3/13/1973 15 years, 76 days
100 breast Women 1:15.6 Catie Ball USA 12/28/1966 9/30/1951 15 years, 89 days
800 free Women 8:30.53 Tracey Wickham AUS 2/21/1978 11/24/1962 15 years, 89 days
400 IM Women 5:24.7 Donna de Varona USA 7/26/1962 4/26/1947 15 years, 91 days
200 back Women 2:16.10 Birgit Treiber GDR 6/6/1975 2/26/1960 15 years, 100 days
800 free Men 8:16.27 Stephen Holland AUS 9/8/1973 5/31/1958 15 years, 100 days
1500 free Men 15:31.859 Stephen Holland AUS 9/8/1973 5/31/1958 15 years, 100 days
100 back Women 1:01.51 Rica Reinisch GDR 7/20/1980 4/6/1965 15 years, 105 days
100 back Women 1:01.50 Rica Reinisch GDR 7/22/1980 4/6/1965 15 years, 107 days
100 back Women 1:00.86 Rica Reinisch GDR 7/23/1980 4/6/1965 15 years, 108 days
200 back Women 2:24.1 Karen Muir RSA 1/6/1968 9/16/1952 15 years, 112 days
200 back Women 2:11.77 Rica Reinisch GDR 7/27/1980 4/6/1965 15 years, 112 days
200 IM Women 2:33.3 Donna de Varona USA 8/18/1962 4/26/1947 15 years, 114 days
200 free Women 2:28.6 Willy den Ouden NED 5/3/1933 1/1/1918 15 years, 122 days
800 free Women 8:40.68 Petra Thümer GDR 6/4/1976 1/29/1961 15 years, 127 days
100 butterfly Women 59.78 Christiane Knacke GDR 8/28/1977 4/17/1962 15 years, 133 days
100 back Women 1:06.7 Karen Muir RSA 1/30/1968 9/16/1952 15 years, 136 days
200 breast Women 2:47.7 Galina Prozumenshchikova URS 4/11/1964 11/26/1948 15 years, 137 days
100 butterfly Women 1:11.9 Atie Voorbij NED 2/5/1956 9/20/1940 15 years, 138 days
200 free Women 1:58.43 Cynthia “Sippy” Woodhead USA 7/3/1979 2/7/1964 15 years, 146 days
200 back Women 2:15.46 Birgit Treiber GDR 7/27/1975 2/26/1960 15 years, 151 days
100 breast Women 1:08.29 Sylvia Gerasch GDR 8/23/1984 3/16/1969 15 years, 160 days
100 butterfly Women 59.26 Mary T. Meagher USA 4/11/1980 10/27/1964 15 years, 167 days
200 breast Women 2:45.4 Galina Prozumenshchikova URS 5/17/1964 11/26/1948 15 years, 173 days
400 free Women 4:09.89 Petra Thümer GDR 7/20/1976 1/29/1961 15 years, 173 days
800 free Women 8:34.86 Michelle Ford AUS 1/6/1978 7/15/1962 15 years, 175 days
800 free Women 8:37.14 Petra Thümer GDR 7/25/1976 1/29/1961 15 years, 178 days
200 breast Women 2:46.4 Ada den Haan NED 11/13/1956 5/14/1941 15 years, 183 days
200 free Women 2:05.21 Shirley Babashoff USA 8/4/1972 1/31/1957 15 years, 186 days
100 free Women 1:06.0 Willy den Ouden NED 7/9/1933 1/1/1918 15 years, 189 days
800 free Women 8:53.68 Keena Rothhammer USA 9/3/1972 2/26/1957 15 years, 190 days
800 free Women 8:31.30 Michelle Ford AUS 1/21/1978 7/15/1962 15 years, 190 days
100 back Women 1:06.4 Karen Muir RSA 4/6/1968 9/16/1952 15 years, 203 days
200 IM Women 2:15.09 Tracy Caulkins USA 8/2/1978 1/11/1963 15 years, 203 days
800 free Women 11:11.7 Ragnhild Hveger DEN 7/3/1936 12/10/1920 15 years, 206 days
200 free Women 1:58.23 Cynthia “Sippy” Woodhead USA 9/3/1979 2/7/1964 15 years, 208 days
800 free Men 8:15.88 Stephen Holland AUS 1/1/1974 5/31/1958 15 years, 215 days
200 IM Women 2:14.07 Tracy Caulkins USA 8/20/1978 1/11/1963 15 years, 221 days
400 IM Women 4:40.83 Tracy Caulkins USA 8/23/1978 1/11/1963 15 years, 224 days
200 breast Women 2:25.92 Anita Nall USA 3/2/1992 7/21/1976 15 years, 225 days
200 breast Women 2:25.35 Anita Nall USA 3/2/1992 7/21/1976 15 years, 225 days
200 butterfly Women 2:09.87 Tracy Caulkins USA 8/26/1978 1/11/1963 15 years, 227 days
1500 free Women 18:12.9 Patty Caretto USA 8/21/1966 1/4/1951 15 years, 229 days
400 free Women 4:07.66 Kim Linehan USA 8/2/1978 12/11/1962 15 years, 234 days
800 free Men 9:17.7 John Konrads AUS 1/11/1958 5/21/1942 15 years, 235 days
200 breast Women 2:33.11 Lina Kachushite URS 8/24/1978 1/1/1963 15 years, 235 days
200 breast Women 2:31.42 Lina Kachushite URS 8/24/1978 1/1/1963 15 years, 235 days
400 free Men 4:25.9 John Konrads AUS 1/15/1958 5/21/1942 15 years, 239 days
200 free Men 2:04.8 John Konrads AUS 1/18/1958 5/21/1942 15 years, 242 days
200 butterfly Women 2:28.1 Sharon Stouder USA 7/12/1964 11/9/1948 15 years, 246 days
200 back Women 2:35.3 Geertje Wielema NED 4/2/1950 7/24/1934 15 years, 252 days
800 free Women 8:24.62 Tracey Wickham AUS 8/5/1978 11/24/1962 15 years, 254 days
800 free Women 8:53.83 Jo Harshbarger USA 8/6/1972 11/17/1956 15 years, 263 days
200 butterfly Women 2:26.4 Sharon Stouder USA 8/2/1964 11/9/1948 15 years, 267 days
400 IM Women 5:01.10 Angela Franke GDR 8/18/1973 11/18/1957 15 years, 273 days
400 free Women 4:06.28 Tracey Wickham AUS 8/24/1978 11/24/1962 15 years, 273 days
200 butterfly Men 1:54.92 Michael Phelps USA 3/30/2001 6/30/1985 15 years, 273 days
200 butterfly Women 2:06.37 Mary T. Meagher USA 7/30/1980 10/27/1964 15 years, 277 days
800 free Men 9:14.5 John Konrads AUS 2/22/1958 5/21/1942 15 years, 277 days
1500 free Men 17:28.7 John Konrads AUS 2/22/1958 5/21/1942 15 years, 277 days
200 IM Women 2:23.07 Shane Gould AUS 8/28/1972 11/23/1956 15 years, 279 days
100 breast Women 1:15.6 Catie Ball USA 7/7/1967 9/30/1951 15 years, 280 days
400 free Women 4:19.04 Shane Gould AUS 8/30/1972 11/23/1956 15 years, 281 days
200 breast Women 2:40.5 Catie Ball USA 7/9/1967 9/30/1951 15 years, 282 days
200 free Women 2:03.56 Shane Gould AUS 9/1/1972 11/23/1956 15 years, 283 days
400 free Women 4:45.4 Ilsa Konrads AUS 1/9/1960 3/29/1944 15 years, 286 days
200 butterfly Women 2:34.4 Marianne Heemskerk NED 6/12/1960 8/28/1944 15 years, 289 days
1500 free Women 19:25.7 Ilsa Konrads AUS 1/13/1960 3/29/1944 15 years, 290 days
200 back Women 2:09.91 Cornelia Sirch GDR 8/8/1982 10/23/1966 15 years, 289 days
50 free Women 25.69 Dara Torres USA 1/29/1983 4/15/1967 15 years, 289 days
50 back Women 27.95 Emily Seebohm AUS 3/22/2008 6/5/1992 15 years, 291 days
200 back Women 2:20.64 Melissa Belote USA 8/5/1972 10/16/1956 15 years, 294 days
100 free Women 56.96 Kornelia Ender GDR 8/19/1974 10/25/1958 15 years, 298 days
200 free Women 2:03.22 Kornelia Ender GDR 8/22/1974 10/25/1958 15 years, 301 days
100 breast Women 1:14.8 Catie Ball USA 7/31/1967 9/30/1951 15 years, 304 days
50 back Women 29.16 Birte Weigang GDR 12/12/1983 1/31/1968 15 years, 315 days
200 breast Women 3:08.4 Clare Dennis AUS 1/18/1932 3/7/1916 15 years, 317 days
50 breast Women 30.23 Amanda Reason CAN 7/8/2009 8/22/1993 15 years, 320 days
100 breast Women 1:14.6 Catie Ball USA 8/19/1967 9/30/1951 15 years, 323 days
200 back Women 2:20.58 Melissa Belote USA 9/4/1972 10/16/1956 15 years, 324 days
200 back Women 2:19.19 Melissa Belote USA 9/4/1972 10/16/1956 15 years, 324 days
200 breast Women 2:39.5 Catie Ball USA 8/20/1967 9/30/1951 15 years, 324 days
200 back Women 2:49.6 Rie Mastenbroek NED 1/20/1935 2/26/1919 15 years, 328 days
800 free Women 8:22.44 Janet Evans USA 7/27/1987 8/28/1971 15 years, 333 days
1500 free Women 16:00.73 Janet Evans USA 7/31/1987 8/28/1971 15 years, 337 days
100 butterfly Women 1:04.7 Sharon Stouder USA 10/16/1964 11/9/1948 15 years, 342 days
800 free Women 9:19.0 Debbie Meyer USA 7/21/1968 8/14/1952 15 years, 342 days
100 butterfly Women 56.44 Sarah Sjöström SWE 7/26/2009 8/17/1993 15 years, 343 days
100 butterfly Women 56.06 Sarah Sjöström SWE 7/27/2009 8/17/1993 15 years, 344 days
200 free Men 2:03.2 John Konrads AUS 5/5/1958 5/21/1942 15 years, 349 days
400 free Women 4:26.7 Debbie Meyer USA 8/1/1968 8/14/1952 15 years, 353 days
800 free Women 9:17.8 Debbie Meyer USA 8/4/1968 8/14/1952 15 years, 356 days
400 IM Women 5:46.6 Sylvia Ruuska USA 6/27/1958 7/4/1942 15 years, 358 days
50 free Women 25.50 Tamara Costache ROU 7/16/1986 7/23/1970 15 years, 358 days
50 free Women 25.34 Tamara Costache ROU 7/16/1986 7/23/1970 15 years, 358 days
200 breast Women 2:52.5 Ada den Haan NED 5/18/1957 5/14/1941 16 years, 4 days
1500 free Women 17:31.2 Debbie Meyer USA 8/21/1968 8/14/1952 16 years, 7 days
50 free Women 25.31 Tamara Costache ROU 8/1/1986 7/23/1970 16 years, 9 days
200 free Women 2:06.86 Debbie Meyer USA 8/24/1968 8/14/1952 16 years, 10 days
400 free Women 4:24.55 Debbie Meyer USA 8/25/1968 8/14/1952 16 years, 11 days
800 free Women 9:10.36 Debbie Meyer USA 8/28/1968 8/14/1952 16 years, 14 days
200 butterfly Men 1:54.58 Michael Phelps USA 7/24/2001 6/30/1985 16 years, 24 days
200 breast Women 3:10.6 Margery Hinton GBR 7/20/1931 6/25/1915 16 years, 25 days
400 IM Women 5:43.7 Sylvia Ruuska USA 8/1/1958 7/4/1942 16 years, 28 days
50 free Women 25.28 Tamara Costache ROU 8/23/1986 7/23/1970 16 years, 31 days
200 IM Women 2:43.2 Sylvia Ruuska USA 8/16/1958 7/4/1942 16 years, 43 days
100 butterfly Women 1:10.5 Atie Voorbij NED 11/12/1956 9/20/1940 16 years, 53 days
100 free Women 1:05.4 Willy den Ouden NED 2/24/1934 1/1/1918 16 years, 54 days
800 free Women 9:09.1 Karen Moras AUS 3/1/1970 1/6/1954 16 years, 54 days
200 back Women 2:58.8 Eleanor Holm USA 2/1/1930 12/6/1913 16 years, 57 days
200 free Women 1:57.55 Heike Friedrich GDR 6/18/1986 4/18/1970 16 years, 61 days
400 free Women 5:14.2 Ragnhild Hveger DEN 2/10/1937 12/10/1920 16 years, 62 days
200 IM Women 2:18.97 Ulrike Tauber GDR 8/18/1974 6/16/1958 16 years, 63 days
200 back Women 2:41.3 Ragnhild Hveger DEN 2/14/1937 12/10/1920 16 years, 66 days
400 IM Women 4:52.42 Ulrike Tauber GDR 8/21/1974 6/16/1958 16 years, 66 days
200 back Women 2:27.4 Cathy Ferguson USA 9/28/1964 7/17/1948 16 years, 73 days
1500 free Women 16:56.90 Shane Gould AUS 2/11/1973 11/23/1956 16 years, 80 days
200 breast Women 3:16.6 Else Jacobsen DEN 8/20/1927 5/31/1911 16 years, 81 days
200 breast Women 2:51.9 Ada den Haan NED 8/3/1957 5/14/1941 16 years, 81 days
200 breast Women 2:51.3 Ada den Haan NED 8/4/1957 5/14/1941 16 years, 82 days
200 back Women 2:58.2 Eleanor Holm USA 3/1/1930 12/6/1913 16 years, 85 days
100 butterfly Women 1:06.1 Ada Kok NED 9/1/1963 6/6/1947 16 years, 87 days
100 back Women 1:07.7 Cathy Ferguson USA 10/14/1964 7/17/1948 16 years, 89 days
200 breast Women 2:22.99 Hui Qi CHN 4/13/2001 1/13/1985 16 years, 90 days
50 free Women 24.98 Wenyi Yang CHN 4/11/1988 1/11/1972 16 years, 91 days
200 IM Women 2:31.8 Donna de Varona USA 7/27/1963 4/26/1947 16 years, 92 days
100 breast Women 1:10.20 Ute Geweniger GDR 5/26/1980 2/24/1964 16 years, 92 days
1500 free Women 16:06.63 Tracey Wickham AUS 2/25/1979 11/24/1962 16 years, 93 days
200 breast Women 2:28.36 Lina Kachushite URS 4/6/1979 1/1/1963 16 years, 95 days
400 IM Women 4:48.79 Birgit Treiber GDR 6/1/1976 2/26/1960 16 years, 96 days
200 butterfly Men 2:12.6 Carl Robie USA 8/19/1961 5/12/1945 16 years, 99 days
200 back Women 2:12.47 Birgit Treiber GDR 6/4/1976 2/26/1960 16 years, 99 days
200 free Men 2:00.4 Don Schollander USA 8/11/1962 4/30/1946 16 years, 103 days
100 free Women 1:04.8 Willy den Ouden NED 4/15/1934 1/1/1918 16 years, 104 days
800 free Men 10:16.6 Shozo Makino JPN 8/30/1931 5/15/1915 16 years, 107 days
1500 free Men 15:52.91 Rick DeMont USA 8/6/1972 4/21/1956 16 years, 107 days
200 IM Women 2:31.8 Donna de Varona USA 8/16/1963 4/26/1947 16 years, 112 days
50 free Women 25.62 Dara Torres USA 8/5/1983 4/15/1967 16 years, 112 days
400 free Women 4:05.45 Janet Evans USA 12/20/1987 8/28/1971 16 years, 114 days
200 free Women 2:27.6 Willy den Ouden NED 5/5/1934 1/1/1918 16 years, 124 days
100 breast Women 1:04.35 Rūta Meilutytė LTU 7/29/2013 3/19/1997 16 years, 132 days
1500 free Women 15:36.53 Katie Ledecky USA 7/30/2013 3/17/1997 16 years, 135 days
50 breast Women 29.48 Rūta Meilutytė LTU 8/3/2013 3/19/1997 16 years, 137 days
800 free Women 8:13.86 Katie Ledecky USA 8/3/2013 3/17/1997 16 years, 139 days
100 free Women 56.38 Kornelia Ender GDR 3/14/1975 10/25/1958 16 years, 140 days
200 free Women 2:02.27 Kornelia Ender GDR 3/15/1975 10/25/1958 16 years, 141 days
50 breast Women 29.30 Benedetta Pilato ITA 5/22/2021 1/28/2005 16 years, 144 days
400 IM Women 4:28.43 Shiwen Ye CHN 7/28/2012 3/1/1996 16 years, 149 days
100 breast Women 1:10.11 Ute Geweniger GDR 7/24/1980 2/24/1964 16 years, 151 days
200 back Women 2:24.4 Elaine Tanner CAN 7/26/1967 2/22/1951 16 years, 154 days
200 free Women 1:56.78 Franziska van Almsick GER 9/6/1994 4/5/1978 16 years, 154 days
100 back Women 1:07.3 Elaine Tanner CAN 7/27/1967 2/22/1951 16 years, 155 days
1500 free Women 25:06.6 Helen Wainwright USA 8/19/1922 3/15/1906 16 years, 157 days
100 back Women 1:07.1 Elaine Tanner CAN 7/30/1967 2/22/1951 16 years, 158 days
800 free Women 8:35.04 Petra Thümer GDR 7/9/1977 1/29/1961 16 years, 161 days
400 IM Women 5:27.4 Sharon Finneran USA 7/26/1962 2/4/1946 16 years, 172 days
400 IM Women 5:21.9 Sharon Finneran USA 7/28/1962 2/4/1946 16 years, 174 days
400 free Women 4:18.07 Keena Rothhammer USA 8/22/1973 2/26/1957 16 years, 177 days
400 free Women 5:16.0 Willy den Ouden NED 7/12/1934 1/1/1918 16 years, 192 days
800 free Women 9:02.45 Karen Moras AUS 7/18/1970 1/6/1954 16 years, 193 days
200 IM Women 2:40.3 Sylvia Ruuska USA 1/14/1959 7/4/1942 16 years, 194 days
200 butterfly Women 2:31.2 Sharon Finneran USA 8/19/1962 2/4/1946 16 years, 196 days
200 IM Women 2:20.518 Andrea Hubner GDR 9/4/1973 2/17/1957 16 years, 199 days
400 free Women 4:08.91 Petra Thümer GDR 8/17/1977 1/29/1961 16 years, 200 days
400 IM Women 4:34.79 Yan Chen CHN 10/13/1997 3/27/1981 16 years, 200 days
200 butterfly Women 2:30.7 Sharon Finneran USA 8/25/1962 2/4/1946 16 years, 202 days
400 free Women 4:44.5 Chris von Saltza USA 8/5/1960 1/13/1944 16 years, 205 days
800 free Women 8:17.12 Janet Evans USA 3/22/1988 8/28/1971 16 years, 207 days
100 butterfly Women 1:08.2 Susan Doerr USA 8/12/1961 1/13/1945 16 years, 211 days
100 butterfly Women 1:07.8 Susan Doerr USA 8/12/1961 1/13/1945 16 years, 211 days
1500 free Women 15:52.10 Janet Evans USA 3/26/1988 8/28/1971 16 years, 211 days
400 free Women 3:56.08 Summer McIntosh CAN 3/28/2023 18/08/2006 16 years, 222 days

In This Story

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Marklewis
1 year ago

If she beats Hosszu’s 400 IM record, I will be even more impressed.

I don’t think anyone has held both the 400 free and 400 IM WR at the same time.

She’s like Phelps in her best events are the IMs and fly and freestyle.

She’s like Tracy Caulkins in that she is good in all the strokes. Tracy had a range from the 100s to the 400s that was unique. What people remember about Caulkins is that she beat the East Germans when that was looking kind of impossible after Montreal 1976.

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Jimmyswim
Reply to  Marklewis
1 year ago

I can’t think of anyone who has. Closest would be Shane Gould holding every freestyle WR and the 200IM simultaneously.

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Aussie
Reply to  Marklewis
1 year ago

This aged well bahahah she smoked the 4IM WR

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Mike McCormack
1 year ago

With several world countries’ emerging swimming enthusiasm, and the growing numbers of youths in them who opt for it over other sports; with the betterment of training methods, and overall coaching excellence becoming quite the standard instead of exception; and what with the ever-intensifying grit and determination of the 3-5% elite who vie to be national class in their countries…I believe we are going to see fewer under-17 WRs as time marches, particularly as these days the 20-somethings in the sport aren’t necessarily finished with PBs! So though it isn’t likely, she could be the last under-17 WR setter… she well may be. Unless, of course, the unlikeliest occurs: another Ledecky or McIntosh comes ambling up the natatorium lane.

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Justanopinion
1 year ago

Kudos to SwimSwam! This is an excellent article jam packed with amazing data and facts.
This might be one of the best articles you’ve posted in awhile. Very much enjoyed it start to finish!

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Christopher
1 year ago

Imagine what the future holds for S Mac. She may be the most versatile female swimmer and world record holder ever if she continues on this trajectory.

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Nada de Nada
1 year ago

Hail to queen of the North! Can’t wait to see what Summer will do in Paris 2024.

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2Fat4Speed
Reply to  Nada de Nada
1 year ago

I can’t wait to see what she does the rest of this week!

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Walter
1 year ago

Karen Muir set a 100 back WR when it was really 110 yards — when she was TWELVE! Karen Muir – Wikipedia

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Spectatorn
1 year ago

Wow, so cool to see the full list!
It will be even better if it shows the event of the world record. Reading this on a mobile browser and the first column of the full list shows gender instead of event.

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Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

One thing stands out about Summer is that most of these swimmers don’t come close to her diversity in the pool. From sprint to distance events in any stroke, she’s the best we’ve ever seen.

I think she’s better than Phelps, Ledecky, or anyone else listed.

I also feel that Summer not being the youngest to break a WR is a good thing 🙂

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jeff
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

better than Phelps? He was a top freestyler, backstroker, and butterflyer with records in 100/200/400 events. She’s a very talented swimmer but at least right now, she is far from being one of the best sprinters we’ve seen

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Nada de Nada
Reply to  jeff
1 year ago

Give her time and that will be a fact.

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jeff
Reply to  Nada de Nada
1 year ago

maybe, if she were American she would rank 3rd/6th/11th all time in the 15-16 age group for the 100 fly/free/back. I don’t see her breaking world records in those events considering she’s not even gonna be training for them much but I guess you never know

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Paul
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

Waiting for 13 individual olympic gold medals

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Sub13
Reply to  Paul
1 year ago

I mean… 13 individual golds is certainly not out of the question if she attends the next 3 Olympics. But it’s waaaay too early for all this talk.

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SwimCoach
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

Phelps was famously known for his lack of diversity. Good point.

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Christine Breedy
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

Tracy Caulkins held records in all 4 strokes AND distances!
MP is the greatest ever- not just his domination of all strokes and most all events–but I challenge anyone to compare to his mental determination and preparation despite serious obstacles-

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Swimswam follower
Reply to  Christine Breedy
1 year ago

You’re right. Michael’s role models were his mom and Michael Jordan. T
Jordan and Phelps had the same mentality, rip your heart out and eat it right in front of you. Bulletin board material guys. They’re both the greatest in their respective sports.

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Ldn
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

I agree re versatility. She can get the Fukuoka A standard in all Olympic events except for maybe 50 free. She also has a men’s Fukuoka B standard now; the most impressive time for me is her 100 m breast time, untapered in that small Florida meet recently as I wasn’t expecting that. Also, downvoting your post because of Summer’s nationality is quite silly really

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Jimmyswim
Reply to  Ldn
1 year ago

Could she? She’s quite a bit off in a number of events

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Swimswam follower
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

Michael Phelps 28 medals
23 gold
3 silver
2 bronze
Michael was “THE PIONEER”
and 1st professional, skipping college.
Good luck to anyone trying to beat that. But Michael was fortunate to live in a country with strong relay depth. American relays have always been strong for men and women and especially men during Michael’s era.
Records are meant to be broken but I don’t see his getting broken any time in the near future.

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Lisa
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
1 year ago

Sure she’s better than Ledecky in terms of versatility and could set a world record in various events but I don’t know if anyone could go unbeaten in an event for like a decade and looking at right now Ledecky is still doing good and looks to continue that trajectory and still no one could get close to her in the longest distance events after a decade.

Last edited 1 year ago by Lisa
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About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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