Canadians go wild for 'incredible' Penny Oleksiak
Canada's first swimming gold in 24 years brings out a big celebration
She went from seventh place at the turn to tied for first and set an Olympic record in the process.
Penny Oleksiak set off quite the online storm with her gold-medal performance in the women's 100-metre freestyle final Thursday night, her fourth medal of the Games.
- SCHEDULE & RESULTS: Swimming at Rio 2016
- WATCH: Penny Oleksiak wins gold for Canada in the women`s 100m freestyle
- WATCH: Penny Oleksiak is given her first Olympic gold medal
Mark Tewksbury, the last Canadian to win a gold in swimming, didn't seem to mind giving up the title.
A 24 year gold draught for Canada is over. So proud to pass the baton to <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a>. Incredible. 7th at 50m and ties for the win. Wow
—@marktewksOne of Canada's 2014 closing ceremony flag bearers had some praise for the early favourite this time around.
Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rockstar?src=hash">#rockstar</a> Inspiring all <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCanada">@TeamCanada</a> 🇨🇦🏅<a href="https://twitter.com/SwimmingCanada">@SwimmingCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gold?src=hash">#gold</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/history?src=hash">#history</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/4medals?src=hash">#4medals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olympics?src=hash">#olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/bpXDNOxY92">pic.twitter.com/bpXDNOxY92</a>
—@BobsledKaillieReminder: Penny Oleksiak is 16-years-old.
Canada's Olympics so far: <a href="https://t.co/pelOIaBrr4">pic.twitter.com/pelOIaBrr4</a>
—@TheRealBenBlumThat’s FOUR Olympic medals for <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a>, the most by a Canadian at a Summer Games. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GOLD?src=hash">#GOLD</a> 100 fr<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SILVER?src=hash">#SILVER</a> 100 fly<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRONZE?src=hash">#BRONZE</a> 4x100, 4x200
—@CallumNgWhen I grow up I want to be Penny Oleksiak.
—@SNCarolineHer brother is taking his demotion as the family's second most successful athlete in stride.
Looks like gold to me 🇨🇦 <a href="https://t.co/17cQvfccNK">pic.twitter.com/17cQvfccNK</a>
—@jamieoleksiakHer teammates, while proud, weren't necessarily surprised.
MY GIRL <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a> !!!!!!!!! WHAT A ROCKSTAR!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
—@Kjmasse<a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a> IS AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION AND JUST MADE HISTORY! Couldn't be more proud you are an inspiration!!!!!!
—@overholtemilyShe asked me this morning, "Has Canada won any golds yet?" I said, "No", and pointed at her. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PENNYWINSGOLD?src=hash">#PENNYWINSGOLD</a> !!
—@michellewill5Remember those Drake tickets Oleksiak couldn't get? Well, that's not going to be an issue going forward.
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a>! We got your <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake">@Drake</a> tickets!!! 🏅🇨🇦🙏🏾 - <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterKash">@PeterKash</a> <a href="https://t.co/QPGnoLH8qu">pic.twitter.com/QPGnoLH8qu</a>
—@935TheMoveTOCanada abolished the penny in 2013, but some have suggested bringing back the one-cent coin with a slightly different design.
Bring back the Penny. <a href="https://t.co/xqEpU1mGTx">pic.twitter.com/xqEpU1mGTx</a>
—@mhenderson95And finally, here's what the star of the night had to say.
So incredibly honoured and humbled by everything that's happened here tonight. Never been so proud to be part of <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCanada">@TeamCanada</a>
—@OleksiakPenny