Penny Oleksiak Shatters 100 Free World Junior Record In 52.72

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Swimming: August 6-13
• Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
• Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
• SwimSwam previews 
• Rio Schedule & Results
• Live Stream (NBC)

16 year-old Canadian Penny Oleksiak continues this magical mystery tour at her first major international competition, qualifying 2nd overall for tomorrow night’s 100 free final in a new world junior record of 52.72, erasing her own record of 53.31 set at the Canadian Olympic Trials. This also breaks her own Canadian record which was also 53.31.

She managed to get out second in her heat behind only Cate Campbell, and had the fastest closing 50 of all of the semi-finalists in a blazing 26.93. If she’s within striking distance with 50 metres to go tomorrow night, watch out.

Oleksiak began these Games with a bang, winning bronze in the women’s 400 free relay. She then had a shocking silver medal in the 100 fly, also breaking her own world junior record.

In the 400 free relay, her and teammate Taylor Ruck became the first ever Olympic medalists born in the 2000s.

Oleksiak will swim in lane 5 as part of a loaded final tomorrow night that will feature Cate & Bronte Campbell, Sarah Sjostrom, Simone Manuel, Ranomi Kromowidjojo…all of the best female sprinters in the world.. This looked like the one event where it would be close to impossible for her to medal, but with that swim it becomes possible.

With both the 4×200 free and 4×100 medley still to come for Oleksiak (4×200 is tonight), her medal tally could easily double before these Games are over.