Oleksiak sets new Canadian record, but comes up short against power-packed field
Canada's Penny Oleksiak reacts following the women's 100m freestyle final during the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, in Tokyo.In her signature event at the Tokyo Olympics, Penny Oleksiak won’t take home a medal from the Tokyo Olympics despite swimming a personal best time in the event.
“I’m honestly kind of happy the final was so fast,” said Oleksiak. “It just shows that women in the 100 free especially are really moving forward and it’s getting a lot faster every year. It makes me excited to race in 2024 to figure out the race a little bit more and see how I can get into the 51s. In ‘24, the whole race could be in the 51s for all we know.”
“I have six Olympic medals; there are only three people in Canada who can say that,” said Oleksiak on Friday in Tokyo with a laugh. “I’m not too concerned. If I have six Olympic medals, I have six Olympic medals. Whatever.” It followed on the heels of a busy Thursday in which she swam the 100-metre freestyle semi-final, and less than two hours later anchored the 4 x 200-metre freestyle relay team to a fourth-place finish – also in Canadian record time. She had to shake off the disappointment of narrowly missing the podium there – which would have rewarded a medal to seven different women who shared in the heats and final.
In the years in between, she had ups and downs, struggled with the pressures that came with being an Olympic champion, a teenage phenom, and Canadian celebrity with many new obligations on her time. She blossomed from a teen into an adult with an apartment and dogs of her own. Michael Phelps chose her as the first global ambassador for his swimsuit brand, and became a friend and mentor.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Penny Oleksiak doesn't reach podium in 100-meter freestyle final, placing fourthThe Canadian swimmer\u0027s hunt for her seventh Olympic medal remains a possibility in the Tokyo Games
Read more »
Penny Oleksiak sets herself up for another Olympic medal, qualifying for 100-meter freestyle finalThe rocket that is Penny Oleksiak is ready for lift off yet again, this time in defence of her Olympic title.
Read more »
Penny Oleksiak finishes fourth in women's 100-metre freestyle, just off the podiumPenny Oleksiak has finished fourth in the women's 100-metre freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics.
Read more »
Penny Oleksiak becomes most decorated Canadian Summer Olympian after bronze finish in 200m freestyleCanadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak has won a bronze medal in the women's 200-metre freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics.
Read more »
Tokyo Olympics: Penny Oleksiak becomes Canada’s most decorated summer OlympianAlso, COVID-19 cases are surging in Tokyo and Canadian boxer Tammara Thibeault will advance in the women’s middleweight boxing event
Read more »
In photos: Penny Oleksiak wins bronze and other highlights from the Tokyo OlympicsOleksiak becomes most decorated Summer Olympian in Canadian history and Canadian boxer Tammara Thibeault advances in the women’s middleweight boxing.
Read more »