Saying that Penny Oleksiak has been on fire this meet is the understatement of the year; after a Canadian record in the 100m butterfly and making the Olympic squad at just 15-years-old, Oleksiak took a huge half-second off the world junior record in the 100m freestyle.
Oleksiak was absolutely phenomenal in the 100m freestyle tonight. She went out in a 25.71 and held on during the final 50 to bring it home in 53.31. That time broke China’s Shen Duo’s world junior record of 53.84 and took down Chantal Van Landeghem‘s Canadian record of 53.83.
The time ties Oleksiak for fourth in the world with Dutch sprinter Ranomi Kromowidjojo and sets her up to be one of the top sprinters in Rio.
2015-2016 LCM Women 100 Free
CAMPBELL
52.06*WR
| 2 | Bronte CAMPBELL | AUS | 52.58 | 04/11 |
| 3 | Penny OLEKSIAK | CAN | 52.70*OR*WJR | 08/11 |
| 4 | Simone MANUEL | USA | 52.70*OR | 08/11 |
| 5 | Sarah SJOSTROM | SWE | 52.78 | 04/01 |
On a global scene, the time makes Oleksiak the 15th fastest 100m freestyler of all time, a remarkable achievement for the 15-year-old swimmer.
Oleksiak will have a ton of support on Rio as she starts her journey as a premier international swimmer. Three of her teammates from the High Performance Centre – Ontario will be joining her on the 4x100m freestyle relay this summer.
Van Landeghem finished second to Oleksiak in the final tonight, also securing herself Olympic nomination in the individual event.
Van Landeghem finished just off her best time and previous Canadian record with a 53.91. Both Sandrine Mainville and Michelle Williams who train with Oleksiak and Van Landeghem under Ben Titley at HPC – Ontario will be joining the two leaders for the relay this summer.
OLEKSIAK’S SWIM BY THE NUMBERS
- 0.52 – the time in seconds Oleksiak took off Chantal Van Landeghem‘s Canadian record
- 0.53 – the time in seconds Oleksiak took off Shen Duo’s world junior record
- 4th – the place Oleksiak is now ranked in the world
- 15th – How she ranks amongst all 100m freestylers in swimming history
- 15 – how old she currently is
Wow amazing. So impressive! Can’t wait to see what she does in Rio. I didn’t realise she was that tall.. Very good genes indeed, her brother NHL player Jamie is 6’8 I believe, their other sister is a rower and is also close to 6 feet tall.
She seems to work very hard as well, I’m happy for her!
Go Canada 🙂
US girls will always be there. Missy will be prepared to split a 52 on relay as she did in 2011 world champs. Manuel has the potential also. Neal could split 53 low and Weitzel too.
And I was expecting Ruck to have the WJR.. amazing time.. Ervin I think this time will probably result is a no medal for US on the 4×100 free relay..
This is faster than Manuel ‘s times : i hope this gives more inspiration for the Us girls to be ready in june .
And Taylor Ruck, considering 100 and 200 free, is AT LEAST as much talented as Oleksiak is.
In swimming, having a right coach for one’s own characteristics makes a huge difference..
56.99 in the 100 fly
53.37 in the 100 free
At 15 that’s very impressive.
Oleksiak can target 2 individual final in Rio.
She’s tall, young. A body built for sprint.
USA would dream to have such a young sprint star on the women’s side. That’s the profile they wait since Torres and Thompson! Since the 20th century!
yeah. I pick oleksiak for female swimmer of the meet. Never knew oleksiak was that tall. 6,1.
Apparently her father is 6-9 and her brother is in the NHL, so good genetics. Also, she only started swimming five years ago, another positive sign for development. She will probably be faster come Rio.
Definitely her or MacLean for female swimmer of the meet. Two national records and a junior world record!