Penny Oleksiak Shatters 100 Free World Junior Record In 52.72

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

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 CampbellSarah SjostromSimone ManuelRanomi 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.

 

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Attila the Hunt
7 years ago

American coaches need to go to Canada to learn how to train sprinters!

(in case this somehow goes over anyone’s head, yes, this is a satire).

Lisa
7 years ago

Can’t wait to watch the 100 free tomorrow!! And can’t wait to see her clean up in Tokyo! Go Canada!!
Seriously impressive how the Canadian women (or girls) are stepping up after 20 years without a swimming medal! #proudcanadian

TSC
7 years ago

Penny is gonna leave Rio with 5 medals..

Victor P
Reply to  TSC
7 years ago

Crazy, bu that is a real possibility considering one will have to be in the medley relay and the other beating out the world champion in the 100 or Sara Sjostrom who’s 52.6 in the 100.

TSC
Reply to  Victor P
7 years ago

She’s got a bit of wiggle room in the 100 free. Even if cate and sjöström are at their best penny popping a 52 mid should surely be silver contention, if not bronze. The medley relay is going to be insane. 58.7 back, 1:06 breast, 56.4 fly and chant al split a 52.9

SwimNerd
Reply to  TSC
7 years ago

Yeah, Canada’s medley relay has really put themselves on the map this week.

Sean S
7 years ago

This girl is an absolute star, I don’t think she is ready to take down C1 just yet, but by next summer I think she could give her a real go.

Bo swims
Reply to  Sean S
7 years ago

I hope you’re wrong 🙂 Sean from Guelph?

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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