Canadian swim star Summer McIntosh forced to miss opening World Cup stop with illness

Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh has withdrawn from this weekend's first leg of the World Cup tour in Carmel, Indiana due to sickness.

“I was so excited to race at the first stop of the World Cup, but disappointed to share I have unexpectedly fallen ill and based on doctor’s advice I will not be racing in Carmel,” McIntosh wrote in a statement posted to her social media channels. “Cheers to lots of fast and fierce racing this weekend of an absolute stacked field of the very best swimmers in the world!” 

McIntosh, who has been in Carmel for the better part of this week preparing for the event, is now focusing on rest and recovery. It’s unclear at this point if McIntosh will be able to compete in next week’s stop set for Westmount, Illinois. 

The conclusion of the event will be held at the Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto running Oct. 23-25. 

The three-stop World Cup tour is a high stakes event highlighting the stars of the sport, including Olympic and world championships. There is a total purse price of $1.2-million (all figures US) up for grabs. Should a swimmer break a world record during the event, they’ll be awarded $10,000.

Previewing the Swimming World Cup, featuring Kylie Masse & Summer McIntosh | The Ready Room

There is another $10,000 awaiting the swimmer who is able to complete what World Aquatics is calling the “crown” by sweeping a single event across all three World Cup stops. 

McIntosh is one of a handful of Canadians who have signed up for at least one stop of the tour. Josh Liendo, Kylie Masse, Mary-Sophie Harvey and Ilya Kharun are among some of the other Canadian swimmers who will be competing in the world cup. 

International standout swimmers include Leon Marchand, Noe Ponti, Mollie