Games-Birmingham turns into the Summer Games as McIntosh takes spotlight

BIRMINGHAM, England : The curtain came down on a rousing Commonwealth Games swimming programme on Wednesday, a competition that Australia dominated from start-to-finish but may well be remembered as Canada's Summer Games.

Having brought their A Team of Olympic champions and world record holders to Birmingham, the Australians laid siege to the Sandwell Aquatic Centre and won nearly half (65) of the 156 total medals on offer, including 25 of the 52 golds.

But it is Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh who leaves having made the greatest impression. The 15-year-old's six medals, including two golds, against quality competition confirmed her status as swimming's next big thing.

Barring something unforeseen, by the time the Paris Olympics comes around in 2024, McIntosh will be talked about as being in the same class as established stars such as Australians Emma McKeon, Ariarne Titmus and American Katie Ledecky.

In two years she may even be the headliner in that elite group.

"The only pressure I feel is what I put on myself," said McIntosh. "The only thing that matters is my expectations."

Swimming provided a glimpse of what that future might look like on Wednesday in the 400 metre freestyle with world record holder Titmus and McIntosh going head-to-head for the final individual gold medal of the Games.

Titmus would come out on top leading from the gun and getting to the wall first in a Games record time of three minutes, 58.06 seconds, leaving McIntosh to take silver and Kiah Melverton the bronze.

The win capped a productive Games for 21-year-old Australian Titmus, who will return home with four gold medals, including individual titles in the 200, 400 and 800m freestyle.

"I'm happy to get the job done. She (McIntosh) pushed me the whole