Legendary coach Bob Bowman hails pupil McIntosh's 'very important' 200m butterfly world record

Legendary swimming coach Bob Bowman has witnessed and coached many athletes to world records over his illustrious career. 

But being part of his first one while coaching Canadian swimming superstar Summer McIntosh – specifically in the 200m butterfly – on Sunday night in Montreal felt a little different for the veteran coach. 

It was the longest standing women’s world record, from the supersuit era of 2009. 

Summer took it down, and Bowman took it all in. 

“In terms of significance, it's very important because it's the last supersuit record for the women.  Still got some in the men but for the women that's it,” he said. 

Bowman says he always gets a treat on the evening after a world record – on Sunday night, it was apple pie. 

For years, Bowman and his swimming colleagues talked about this specific world record being untouchable. He said that started to change when McIntosh dipped into the 2:02 range – then he says it started to become a reality that came to fruition Sunday night.

Canada's Summer McIntosh breaks 200-metre butterfly world record time at Canadian swimming trials

Michael Phelps, whom Bowman coached to 28 Olympic medals, posted about McIntosh’s feat on social media. Bowman says he’s heard from “pretty much everybody” in the last 20 hours or so following her memorable swim. 

Speaking to CBC Sports ahead of the second night of finals at the Canadian swimming trials, Bowman said it’s clear McIntosh loves swimming at home. 

McIntosh has now broken world records at four consecutive national trials going back to 2023 in Toronto, then last year in Victoria and now at the Olympic pool in Montreal.

“She loves it. It's a great environment for her.  Number one, there’s so much support from the whole country here. She