McIntosh headlines powerhouse Canadian team at short course world championships

Less than two months after one of its most successful Olympic Games performances in history, having won eight medals in Paris, Swimming Canada has unveiled its roster for the upcoming short course world championships set for December in Budapest.

McIntosh is widely regarded as one of the top talents globally having dazzled at the Paris 2024 Olympics after winning three gold medals and a silver medal.

"I am excited to end 2024 with the World Aquatics short course championships at one of my favourite venues and cities in the world," McIntosh said in a Swimming Canada release.

"Team Canada typically brings a smaller team with a lot of spirit ready to embrace another opportunity to go up against the very best. It should be a lot of fun to race short course metres for the first time in a couple of years and great to see everyone again."

WATCH | McIntosh wins Canadian record 3rd gold medal in single Games in Paris:

Budapest will always be a special place for McIntosh. It's where she won her first two long-course world championship medals in 2022. She's returning to short course worlds for the first time since the Abu Dhabi event in 2021.

At those worlds, McIntosh won her first international gold medal.

But McIntosh isn't the only well-known swimmer donning the maple leaf at the upcoming worlds – seven-time Olympic medallist Penny Oleksiak is making her return to the 25-metre pool for the first time since 2016. At that world championship, Oleksiak won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

The Toronto-native rose to fame during the 2016 Rio Olympics by capturing four medals for Canada.

One of the country's most consistent and decorated swimmers for nearly a decade, Kylie Masse, will also be joining the team in Budapest