Penny Oleksiak, Canada’s most decorated athlete, is redefining her path after a period marked by injuries and personal challenges. At 24, the Rio 2016 Olympic champion swimmer is seeing this moment as an opportunity to start fresh and explore new dimensions of her career and personal life as she tells Olympics.com.
In the summer of 2023, Oleksiak left her home in Toronto to move to Los Angeles, a decision she describes as a necessary impulse: “I needed a change of scenery, to do something different.” After a complicated Olympic cycle and a medal-less participation in Paris 2024, his move to the Californian city symbolizes a new beginning.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE AFTER INJURIES
Since the Tokyo 2020 Games, Oleksiak has faced a series of injuries, including meniscus surgery and shoulder problems. This process, combined with the effects of the pandemic, required him to develop renewed patience and resilience: “I learned to trust the process and enjoy it more.”
Despite the setbacks, Oleksiak managed to qualify for Paris 2024, although she missed the podium for the first time in three Olympic appearances. After that experience, she reflects: “My goal was to get to Paris. I made it, and now it’s about thinking about what’s next.”
A SYMBOLIC CLIMB OF KILIMANJARO
In September 2024, Oleksiak embarked on an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro as part of a collaboration with the Canadian NGO Thrive for Good. For eight days, disconnected from the world, she found a renewed sense of gratitude: “Climbing that mountain gave me perspective. It helped me appreciate the little things and accept the ups and downs of my sporting career.”
The experience also allowed him to visit schools and orphanages in Tanzania, reinforcing her desire to contribute beyond sport.
RECONNECTING WITH SWIMMING
Currently, Oleksiak is training in Mission Viejo, California, under the guidance of Jeff Julian. In addition, she has resumed the role of coach for young swimmers and finds peace in simple activities such as placing lane lines in the pool, something she used to avoid in her childhood.
Although she once thought about retiring at 24, she is now committed to her participation in Los Angeles 2028, where she hopes not only to compete, but also to inspire her teammates, “I want to show them that it is possible to have longevity in this sport.”
SHARING HER EXPERIENCE
Oleksiak is also looking to guide the younger generation of swimmers, especially in aspects such as social media and corporate partnerships, areas she has been immersed in since her teens: “I don’t like to be called a veteran, but I do want to be an example of how to handle pressure and find a balance.”
With a more mature outlook and a focus on enjoying the process, Oleksiak is proving that her story as a swimmer and as a person is far from over. From the pool lanes to the top of distant mountains, her journey reflects a constant quest for growth and renewal.
