Most of the buzz focused on 16-year-old Oleksiak, who won four swimming medals at the Rio Games, including Canada’s first gold.
Advertisement
“As the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics draw to a close, I would like to thank all athletes from around the world for making these such exciting games”.
Several members of Team Canada, including star swimmer Penny Oleksiak, landed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport around 6 a.m., with another group of athletes scheduled to arrive at around the same time early Wednesday.
Penny Oleksiak has arrived in Toronto.
And they have reason to stand tall: the team has exceeded medal expectations, with 22. She defended her gold medal from the London Olympics this year, winning gold in Rio for her routine in the women’s individual final.
“I got to meet a lot of athletes when I was backstage … holding the flag and getting to walk out and see everyone come up to you and take photos of you, saying that they were born in Canada or they’ve lived in Canada – it’s pretty great”.
Now that she’s back home in Toronto, Oleksiak said she wants to “sleep and try to catch up with some of my friends afterwards”.
Residents in Oleksiak’s east-end Toronto neighbourhood are planning a celebration for her return, tentatively planned for August 28.
The Olympic medallist, whose performance this summer has made her a household name, said she is grateful for the support Canadians have shown her and other athletes.
The flag bearer for the opening ceremony, Rosie MacLennan, was also on one of the Tuesday morning flights.
Several of the returning athletes expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement they received from Canadians throughout the Games. It is presented annually to an exceptional Canadian athlete who excels in leadership and excellence in an Olympic sport, while inspiring the athletes of future generations.
“I don’t know if that was testing out the waters anymore but it’s definitely boosted my confidence into 2020”.
Advertisement
Soccer player Jessie Fleming said she was proud of her team’s performance in Rio, which garnered them a bronze medal.
