Canadians were thrilled to learn that 16-year-old Penny Oleksiak won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle event bringing her total medal count to four at the Rio Summer Olympics. This brought her several first-time honours, but her reaction was that the win meant so much to her because she wants to inspire people her age or younger.
Oleksiak was swimming seventh but, in what has become her trade mark, she put on a burst of speed at the end and tied for first place with Simone Manuel of the United States. As is her practice, Oleksiak finished the race and did not look at the scoreboard, waiting a moment to catch her breath. When she turned to see the result she had a look of surprise.
First, first, first, first
As for the firsts, Canadian Press notes: Oleksiak is the first Canadian to win four medals at a single summer Olympic Games. She is also the first Canadian woman to win any Olympic medal in the 100-meter freestyle event. She is the first Olympic gold medalist born in this millennium and the first Canadian to win three or more medals before turning 17.
It’s an even more amazing feat given the swimmer had not previously competed in major events like the Pan Am or Commonwealth games. And trainers were focusing their hopes for her not on these Olympic Games, but those in the future.
Oleksiak has captured four out of Canada’s current medal count of seven. She took sliver in the 100-meter butterfly and anchored the 4×100-meter and 4×200-meter freestyle which both won bronze.
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