2020 TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- When: Pool swimming: Saturday, July 24 – Sunday, August 1, 2021
- Open Water swimming: Wednesday, August 4 – Thursday, August 5, 2021
- Where: Olympic Aquatics Centre / Tokyo, Japan
- Heats: 7 PM / Semifinals & Finals: 10:30 AM (Local time)
- Full aquatics schedule
- SwimSwam Event Previews
- Entry Lists
Although she was unable to grab an individual medal in the women’s 100 freestyle, Canadian Penny Oleksiak swam to a new National Record in the event.
Oleksiak, at 21-years-old, touched the wall in a final time of 52.59 to finish 4th overall, slicing a tenth of a second off of her own Canadian National Record of 52.70 that she set at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Splits Comparison
| Penny Oleksiak, 2021 |
Penny Oleksiak, 2016
|
| 25.42 | 25.7 |
| 27.17 | 27 |
| 52.59 | 52.7 |
Although Oleksiak closed slightly faster in 2016, her opening split in tonight’s final was .3 faster, ultimately resulting in a best time.
Oleksiak’s time of 52.70 in Rio earned her a gold medal in the event, tying her with American Simone Manuel. At the time, their time also stood as the Olympic record, and her time from tonight would have been under the old record. However, she only earned 4th in an event that has significantly improved since 2016.
Oleksiak’s performance tonight marks her highest finish at a major International competition since Rio. In the years following the 2016 Olympic Games, Oleksiak struggled to find her form, with her fastest performance sitting at 52.94 from the 2017 World Championships.
Penny Oleksiak’s Time Progression Since 2016 Olympics:
- 2016: 52.70
- 2017: 52.94
- 2018: 53.85
- 2019: 53.60
- 2020: 53.41
- 2021: 52.59
However, at the 2021 Canadian Olympic Trials, Oleksiak began to show signs of her 2016 self, swimming a time of 52.89 in the 100 free. Oleksiak opened the Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the individual 200 freestyle, setting herself up for a big performance here.
So happy for her.
She was sorta out in the wilderness for a while there, super happy she not only got back to where she was but improved.
I’m sure she’s disappointed right now, but it was a great effort, and what she’s pulled off for these games (especially with the pandemic interruptions to training and competitions) is a real achievement.
Only one more swim to go.
Also the youngest swimmer in the final for the second olympics in a row! Future is bright
Great swim in an epic field. Arguably left a little bit with a slightly miss timed turn. She’s back in the world stage this week in a big way. And still the youngest in the finals field by 3 years!
Awesome 1st gold for Emma and worthy podium with Siobhan and Cate.
She’s amazing.