'I'm the hunted': Summer McIntosh's record-breaking week puts competitors on notice ahead of worlds

It would be easy, at 18 years old, to let all that spotlight, the headlines, the attention, get to one's head. 

Not Summer McIntosh.

She's coming off an unforgettable Canadian swimming trials in Victoria that saw her break three world records, and post Canadian records in two other events. Each swim was a personal best for her.

She broke the 400m freestyle, 400m individual medley and 200m individual medley world records. She clocked the third-fastest 800m freestyle time ever and the second-fastest 200m butterfly time ever.

After receiving her gold medal and a stuffed animal at the close of each victory ceremony throughout one of the greatest meets by an individual in history, McIntosh quickly worked her way over to young kids in the stands — she'd first throw her stuffy into the crowd and then give her gold medal away.

That's right, McIntosh gave all five of her record-setting gold medals away to young kids who were gobsmacked by their sporting hero, and a once-in-a-lifetime keepsake. 

WATCH | Summer McIntosh on the impact she is having:

Humble. Kind. Seeing the bigger picture in her moment of excellence.

"Seeing the reaction of the little girls and boys, it's 10 times better than me keeping them in a memory box," McIntosh said. "I'm only going to look at that so often. I'd rather give them away and spread the joy. They're going to cherish it. It's nice to be able to inspire and celebrate with them. That's the least I can do.""

It wasn't all that long ago McIntosh was on the pool deck at the Pan Am Sports Centre taking a photo with Penny Oleksiak, one of Canada's most decorated Olympians, as Oleksiak got ready to go to the Rio Olympics and McIntosh dreamed of one day maybe going to a Games herself. 

Fast-forward a few years later, Oleksiak has now gone to three Olympics and McIntosh two, and they are both part of a team of 26 swimmers who will represent Canada at the world championships this summer in Singapore. 

WATCH | CBC Sports' The Ready Room wraps the week at trials:

McIntosh will be the overwhelming favourite to bring home three, four, maybe even five gold medals — she has been very clear she wants to win five gold medals at the L.A. 2028 Olympics, so these world championships begin that pursuit. 

There's a tantalizing showdown between McIntosh and Ledecky brewing in the 800m freestyle event that Ledecky has held the world record for 12 years. McIntosh is closing in on it.