Canadians give their 2 cents on Penny Oleksiak as flag-bearer
Record-breaking swimmer, 16, heralded as best choice for honour
By Aaron Stern, CBC Sports
Penny Oleksiak may not have a full driver's licence but the swimmer will be in the driver's seat for Canada at the Rio 2016 closing ceremony. The 16-year-old swimmer was selected as Canada's flag-bearer for the ceremony after capturing a record-breaking four medals in the pool.
Here is the official announcement:
BREAKING | <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCanada">@TeamCanada</a> announces Penny Oleksiak as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClosingCeremony?src=hash">#ClosingCeremony</a> flag-bearer. <a href="https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK">https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK</a> <a href="https://t.co/p2vIN9YeNl">https://t.co/p2vIN9YeNl</a>
—@CBCOlympicsOleksiak spoke at the press conference about what the honour means to her.
Hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN?src=hash">#CAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClosingCeremony?src=hash">#ClosingCeremony</a> flag-bearer Penny Oleksiak. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK">https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK</a> <a href="https://t.co/bUDEh451zr">https://t.co/bUDEh451zr</a>
—@CBCOlympicsAfter all the great performances from Canadian athletes there was some debate regarding who should receive the flag-bearing honor, but in the end it appears most are thrilled with the choice.
Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a>! Your incredible display of excellence in the pool inspired us all. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamCanada?src=hash">#TeamCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/8k8AaqJawh">https://t.co/8k8AaqJawh</a>
—@InakiGomezGLike this choice. What a future lies ahead for this proud Canadian <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCanada">@TeamCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCOlympics">@CBCOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/zKiHzwtRGY">https://t.co/zKiHzwtRGY</a>
—@Nigel_ReedCongrats <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a> on being named <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flagbearer?src=hash">#flagbearer</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a>. Well deserved. Word of advice....pause for a moment and take it all in!
—@CatrionaldImagine: you're 16, win a gold and 4 total medals at the Olympics, and carry the flag for your country. That's Penny Oleksiak. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN?src=hash">#CAN</a>
—@RadioAdamBrilzYES! Penny Oleksiak Canada's flag bearer for the closing ceremonies! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rio?src=hash">#rio</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whatittakes?src=hash">#whatittakes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StepUpStandTall?src=hash">#StepUpStandTall</a> <a href="https://t.co/3w2O520wfh">pic.twitter.com/3w2O520wfh</a>
—@JanisIlekysWe're so proud of our student <a href="https://twitter.com/OleksiakPenny">@OleksiakPenny</a> for being named flag bearer for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> closing ceremonies! Amazing! <a href="https://t.co/wP4z9655rF">https://t.co/wP4z9655rF</a>
—@tdsbYesssssss!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/8Ie8XHVlDt">https://t.co/8Ie8XHVlDt</a>
—@RosieMacLennanJust take a look at what the youngster accomplished this Olympics.
What do you think of <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCanada">@TeamCanada</a>'s choice for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClosingCeremony?src=hash">#ClosingCeremony</a> flag-bearer? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/z5NWWAkci0">https://t.co/z5NWWAkci0</a> <a href="https://t.co/rqIrBeAfwa">https://t.co/rqIrBeAfwa</a>
—@CBCOlympicsMuch has been made about Drake reaching out to Oleksiak last week after her incredible performances, but will the Toronto rapper make her "Hotline Bling" again after the flag-bearer news? Oleksiak commented on how awesome it was for one of her favourite artists to acknowledge her achievements.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN?src=hash">#CAN</a> Penny Oleksiak couldn't hide her excitement when <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake">@Drake</a> reached out to her! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK">https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK</a> <a href="https://t.co/3mB2toIRbv">https://t.co/3mB2toIRbv</a>
—@CBCOlympicsRio 2016 has definitely marked the beginning for the new Canadian star, and no one will soon forget about Canada's Magic Penny.
What do you think about the flag-bearer choice? Tweet us @CBCOlympics!