As Olympics loom, Summer McIntosh building her training without showing rivals too much

It's been two months since Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh sent yet another shockwave across the swimming world, upending the great American swimmer Katie Ledecky in the 800-metre freestyle.

Ledecky had not lost an 800 final for more than 13 years.

It had swimming fans buzzing and wondering if McIntosh would consider adding the event to her Olympic program in Paris this summer. 

When recently asked if that result changed anything, McIntosh's coach Brent Arckey gave a diplomatic response.

"We've been having these conversations for a year and a half now so this is all part of the plan and process for us so it doesn't really change what we're doing for the Olympic Games," Arckey told CBC Sports.

Arckey says they've never been concerned about what other athletes are doing and have focused solely on making McIntosh unbeatable.

"There are so many variables when you start talking about other people. It's not a good use of our time. We know they're there but she has to execute her race plan," he said. 

As for McIntosh, her Canadian-record time of eight minutes 11.39 seconds, beating Ledecky's time of 8:17.12 in that race at the beginning of February, was validation for all the work she's been putting in. 

"I wanted to break that barrier. I was happy with it because it shows my fitness and my work," she said. 

"It's super validating and any time you can get a good swim there's things to learn. It's a good pat on the back for what I've been doing."

WATCH | McIntosh shatters 800m free national record in win over Ledecky:

Since then, McIntosh has been quietly going about her business in Sarasota, Fla., where she trains, tirelessly working away in the background as the Olympics loom. 

The 17-year-old is returning to Toronto this