Canadian Olympic Medalist Penny Oleksiak to Miss World Swimming Championships Due to Injury

Canadian Olympian Penny Oleksiak Withdraws from World Aquatics Championships

Seven-Time Olympic Medalist Focusing on Injury Rehabilitation for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Canadian swimming sensation Penny Oleksiak, a seven-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated Canadian Olympian in history, will unfortunately be unable to participate in the upcoming World Aquatics Championships. The 22-year-old athlete has been undergoing rehab for an injury sustained during her recovery from left knee surgery, which she had undergone last August. Additionally, she recently encountered an unrelated shoulder issue.

FILE - Canada’s Penny Oleksiak looks up at her results after swimming to take the bronze medal in the women’s 200-meter freestyle final event during the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Oleksiak will be withdrawing from this year’s World Aquatics Championships due to injury. Canada’s most decorated Olympian had been working her way back from right knee surgery since August, during which time she has developed an unrelated left shoulder condition. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

(Frank Gunn / Associated Press)

Oleksiak made her competitive comeback in May at the Mare Nostrum meet in Barcelona, Spain, after a nine-month hiatus. However, she and her coach Ryan Mallette mutually decided to prioritize her ongoing rehabilitation instead of competing at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan, this July. In a statement, Oleksiak expressed her determination to focus on her rehabilitation and regain peak form for the next season.

Having claimed a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Oleksiak's absence will undoubtedly be felt by Team Canada at the World Championships. Last summer, she had to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games due to a torn meniscus that required surgery. While she was named to the Canadian 2023 World Championship team, her coach believes that she will not be able to perform at her best in time for the event.

Oleksiak's primary goal now is to recover fully and prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her coach, Ryan Mallette, emphasized their commitment to getting her back to optimal fitness as soon as possible. The High Performance Director, John Atkinson, acknowledged Oleksiak's world-class abilities and assured that Swimming Canada, along with the High Performance Centre staff, will work closely with her team to develop a customized plan for her rehabilitation and training.

Throughout her career, Oleksiak has amassed an impressive collection of medals, with seven Olympic medals to her name, including an individual gold in the women's 100 freestyle in 2016. At the World Aquatics Championships, she holds the record for the most decorated Canadian swimmer, earning nine medals in relays. While her absence, along with the uncertainty surrounding Taylor Ruck's participation due to a broken hand, may impact Canada's relay depth at the upcoming championships, the focus remains on Oleksiak's long-term recovery and performance goals.