PARIS – By now we know the talent of Canada’s Summer McIntosh, a multiple world record holder, world champion, and a swimmer poised for a massive Olympic Games.

But we’re about to find out how savvy the Toronto teenager is as a strategist and a competitor, a huge factor in being able to take on and defeat the world’s best.

In her debut race at these Paris Games here on Saturday morning, a preliminary heat for the 400-metre freestyle, McIntosh swam a tactically sound effort, picking up the pace late and finishing second to New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather in a time of 4:02.55. While it was the fourth-fastest clocking from the heats, it easily qualified her for a star-studded field that includes U.S. legend Katie Ledecky, who won her heat in 4:02.19, and reigning Olympic champ Ariarne Titus (4:02.46.).