Canada has earned its first trip to the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, claiming silver in the women’s 4×100-metre swimming freestyle relay Saturday night.
Penny Oleksiak, the decorated swimmer who anchored the Canadian women to the nation’s first MEDAL of these Games, earned her fifth career trip to the podium in the process, tying an all-time record for an Olympian from Canada.
Kayla Sanchez, Taylor Ruck and Rebecca Smith rounded out Canada’s medal-winning crew.
The relay team secured its place in tonight’s final by posting the third-fastest time in yesterday’s semifinal with a combined time of three minutes 33.72 seconds, narrowly behind the Netherlands and Australia.
Canada’s relay team kicking off the nation’s success isn’t new. Five years ago, during the Rio Games, it was the Canadian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that earned Canada’s first medal with a bronze.
More to come.
