‘It’s great for Canada:’ Penny Oleksiak’s parents happy for daughter’s historic achievement at Tokyo Olympics
Richard and Alison Oleksiak say they cannot wait to see their daughter Penny on Monday when she arrives home after her historic week at the Tokyo Olympics.
"We're really excited to see her tomorrow and really excited to give her a big hug," Alison told CP24 Sunday afternoon.
"We're all going to have a family get-together when she gets back to celebrate … her success. It'll be fun," added Richard.
Their 21-year-old daughter became Canada's most decorated athlete on Sunday. The Toronto swimming phenom achieved the feat after winning the bronze medal with her teammates in the 4x100-metre medley relay.
Penny, Kylie Masse, Sydney Pickrem and Maggie Mac Neil finished third with a Canadian record time of 3:52.60.
Canada's Kylie Masse and Sydney Pickrem cheer as Maggie Mac Neil gives Penny Oleksiak her bronze medal as they celebrate their finish in the women's 4 x 100m medley relay final during the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Sunday, August 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
It is Penny's 7th career Olympic medal, the most by any Canadian athlete both in the summer and winter games. She surpassed Clara Hughes and Cindy Klassen, who each have six medals.
Penny is bringing back three medals from Tokyo – a silver (4x100-metre freestyle relay) and two bronzes (200-metre butterfly and 4x100-metre medley relay). She won four medals in Rio five years ago.
"It's great for her. It's great for Canada. It's great for the team. It's a win all around," Richard said on her daughter's success.
Alison added: "We're just really happy that she really achieved the goals that she had, which we were really pleased with."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.