(Toronto) Canada’s Penny Oleksiak is struggling with a left shoulder injury and has withdrawn from the World Aquatic Championships as a result, Swimming Canada announced in a statement Thursday.
The country’s most decorated Olympian was injured while recovering from left knee surgery performed last August. The two injuries are not, however, linked, according to the organization that oversees the discipline in the country.
The decision was reportedly made jointly by Oleksiak and High Performance Center-Ontario head coach Ryan Mallette after the Barcelona leg of the Mare Nostrum tour last month.
“(They) determined that it would be better to focus on his rehabilitation rather than competing at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July,” Swimming Canada said. “We looked at my races there and it showed me the level I want to come back to,” Oleksiak said. I have to focus on my rehabilitation to get back to my level and put myself in position to be at my best next season. »
Mallette added that the goal for Oleksiak remains to compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Oleksiak, a 22-year-old Torontonian, has won seven career medals (1-2-4) at the Olympics. She also stood out by winning four medals (0-2-2) at the World Aquatic Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last year.
