Summer McIntosh captured Canada’s first medal of the Paris Olympics — a silver — in the 400-metre freestyle on Saturday.

In a carefully planned year of training, McIntosh and her coaches have emphasized taking care of business and preserving energy to save her best for the biggest of races that await at La Defense Arena.

It could be an incredibly eventful evening for McIntosh to kickstart the meet. She’s also a candidate to swim a leg of the potent 4×100 metre freestyle relay team that is expected to a contend for a medal. The four named for that race won’t be decided until later in the day for a night session that will be rich in atmosphere at the lively venue.

It certainly shapes up to be a big opening day for Canada, which includes Maggie Mac Neil of London, Ont. and her attempt to repeat the Olympic gold she won in Tokyo in the 100 metre butterfly. Mac Neil was a solid second in her heat to advance to the semi-final in the evening. The final will be raced on Sunday.

1. 
   Summer's Games: Canadian teen swimming sensation set for big Olympic splash
2. 
   How Canada's Summer McIntosh plans to manage her intense schedule on the way to Olympic glory