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Penny Oleksiak Swims First Official Race In Almost A Year At Westmont Pro Swim Series

2024 PRO SWIM SERIES – WESTMONT

The 2024 Westmont Pro Swim Series continued this morning, and Canadian Olympic gold medalist Penny Oleksiak swam her first official race since May 18th of 2023.

Swimming in heat 4 of the women’s 200 free, Oleksiak hit the wall 7th in a final time of 2:03.27. She was entered with a time of 2:02.32, but her personal best rests at 1:54.70 from the Tokyo Olympic final, where she won the bronze medal.

Oleksiak looked strong through the first lap, flipping in 27.90 before recording splits of 31.46, 31.70, and 32.21 on the final three 50s. She has since pulled out of the final, as she does not appear on tonight’s heat sheet. She ranked 17th overall after prelims, meaning she was slated to swim in lane four of the C-final.

Prior to the Fukuoka World Championships last July, Oleksiak announced that she wouldn’t compete to focus on rehabing her left knee. She was also dealing with an injury in her left shoulder, which contributed to her decision to skip the World Championships.

Before today, Oleksiak most recently competed at the Barcelona stop of the 2023 Mare Nostrum tour. The meet took place from May 17-18th, two months prior to the previously mentioned Fukuoka World Championships, and she recorded the following results:

  • 50 Freestyle: 26.44 (28th place)
  • 100 Freestyle: 56.08 (=16th place)
  • 50 Butterfly: 27.35 (16th place)

Oleksiak broke onto the senior international stage at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where she tied American Simone Manuel for gold in the women’s 100 free (52.70). Oleksiak opened her individual schedule at that meet with a silver medal performance in the 100 butterfly, ultimately leaving Rio with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Oleksiak is Canada’s most decorated summer Olympian, as she’s the only athlete to win seven total medals. Track star Andre De Grasse, who specializes in the 100 and 200m distances, is just behind her with six Olympic medals.

Since Rio, Oleksiak has shifted away from butterfly almost completely. She’s kept her signature 100 free on the schedule and has made the 200 free more of an individual focus since 2018.

Oleksiak’s Other Entries In Westmont:

  • 50 Freestyle (Seeded 42nd, 26.44)
  • 100 Freestyle (Seeded 20th, 56.08)

Race Video (Courtesy of USA Swimming on YouTube):

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Michael Mooney
8 months ago

So so happy to see Simone Manuel back

justanopinion
Reply to  Michael Mooney
8 months ago

This simple comment pours so much salt into the Oleksiak wound for Canadians right now.

CanuckSwimmer
Reply to  justanopinion
8 months ago

Why? She’s swimming well, so good on her đź‘Ź

CanuckSwimmer
8 months ago

I don’t think she has enough time to come back for another olympics.
I hope she proves me wrong.

Jeepers
8 months ago

Too bad she didn’t come back to swim the C final. If she wants to make a come back it’s the only way. Just get out there and race every opportunity you have.

phelpsfan
8 months ago

Washed

CanadianCoach
Reply to  phelpsfan
8 months ago

You shouldn’t be getting downvoted. She is washed

SC-Coach
Reply to  phelpsfan
8 months ago

She is washed. You shouldn’t be downvoted.

SwimEm
Reply to  phelpsfan
8 months ago

And still more successful than a swimming troll

phelpsfan
Reply to  SwimEm
8 months ago

Huh? What about me calling her washed was trolling? I love Penny but NOTHING has shown me that she’ll be ready in time for the Olympics. I really hope she proves me wrong, she’s a valuable asset for our relays at her best (and anywhere close to it)

Maudzilla
Reply to  phelpsfan
8 months ago

Agreed @SwimEm! I desperately want her to do well for the sake of the relays at least… but when you look at an athlete like Simone Manuel and her inspiring come back; it’s hard to look at Oleksiak (or her instagram content) and to believe that is focused on swimming or Paris. Manuel just put it the work, had many humbling swims along the way but always showed up, always kept getting a little faster.

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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