Canada’s Summer McIntosh continued her push to become the first woman to ever win five gold medals in a single swimming world championships after dominating the 200-meter butterfly Thursday in Singapore.
It was McIntosh’s third gold of the week. Her 2:01.99 was the second-fastest women’s 200 butterfly ever and set a Canadian record.
McIntosh missed out on the world record by 0.18 seconds. After the race, she actually expressed some frustration she didn't break the world record. She later added that one breath proved to be the difference.
McIntosh did break the record for fastest 200m butterfly at the World Championships, so she did make some history. But Zige Liu still holds the world record with a time of 2:01.81.
Regan Smith of the United States finished second in 2:04.99, a full three seconds behind McIntosh.
Leon Marchand continues dominant run
French star Leon Marchand won the men’s 200 individual medley finals but fell short of the world record he set a day earlier. Marchand broke Ryan Lochte’s 2011 world record in Wednesday’s semifinals with a 1:52.69. In the final, Marchand went 1:53.68 — which was also faster than Lochte’s previous WR of 1:54.00 — to beat American Shaine Casas’ 1:54.30.
Casas' time was the third-fastest ever by an American male in the 200 IM, trailing only Lochte and Michael Phelps.
American Katharine Berkoff wins women's 50m backstroke
Katharine Berkoff has won medals at the World Championships before, but never managed a gold in an individual event. That changed Thursday, as Berkoff picked up the win in the women's 50m backstroke.
It was an impressive performance for Berkoff, who posted a time of 27.08 to win the gold.
American Regan Smith finished second in the event, posting a time of 27.25.
Jack Alexy finishes second in 100m freestyle
Romania’s David Popovici picked up a win over Jack Alexy in the men's 100m freestyle. Popovici broke his own European record in the win, swimming a 46.51 to take gold. It was the second-fastest swim in men's 100m freestyle. Alexy, who set an American record during prelims Wednesday, finished second with a 46.92, just slightly slower than his record from Wednesday's action.
Team USA pulls out of more events
Things seemed to be improving after multiple Team USA swimmers pulled out of events early at the World Championships due to acute gastroenteritis. After a few days without issues — and a few gold-medal wins — a number of U.S. athletes pulled out of events Thursday.
Gretchen Walsh pulled out of the 100m freestyle and Josh Matheny pulled out of the 200m breaststroke. A few hours later, USA Swimming announced Carson Foster would not swim in the 200m individual medley.
It's unclear if that trio is dealing with the illness sweeping through the World Championships or if there are other reasons for their absence Thursday.
This story will be updated.
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