Olympic wake-up call: Oleksiak writes Canadian history, Biles and Black drop from all-around

A Canadian superstar soared to new heights on Wednesday, while a U.S. champion stepped away, at least for a time, to focus on her mental health.

Before heads even hit the pillow in Canada, swimmer Penny Oleksiak had made history.

The 21-year-old from Toronto captured a bronze medal in the women's 200-metre freestyle to become the most decorated summer Olympian for Canada.

Her collection of six Olympic medals ties the records of cyclist Clara Hughes and speed skater Cindy Klassen. It also adds to the accomplishments of Canadian women in Tokyo, who have won all nine medals.

CBC Sports's Devin Heroux has more on Oleksiak's drive and her personal-best time. 

Here's more of what you missed in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Simone Biles, Ellie Black withdraw

American gymnast Simone Biles and Canadian gymnast Ellie Black will not be competing in the women's individual all-around competition. Biles is the reigning Olympic champion.

First came Biles's decision to pull out of the team final. Then USA Gymnastics said the 24-year-old was also withdrawing from the all-around to focus on her mental health.

The organization said it applauded her bravery.

Ahead of the team final, Biles wrote on Instagram: "I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times." 

At the time of publishing, USA Gymnastics said it wasn't decided whether Biles would be competing in her other Olympic events.

Gymnastics Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee says Black is out too, though for physical reasons: the 25-year-old from Halifax sprained her ankle in training. Their statement said she hopes to still compete in the beam final next week. 

Canada wows in water polo

The Canadian women's water polo team has emerged with its first victory at the Olympics since Athens in 2004.

Coming back from two losses in Tokyo, Canada pulled off a massive 21-1 victory over South Africa. Every player, minus goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi, found the back of the net.

Gurpreet Sohi of Delta, B.C., scored four times, and Kyra Christmas of High River, Alta. got a hat trick. 

Fiji men repeat as rugby sevens Olympic champs

Fiji defended its Olympic title, claiming gold yet again with a 27-12 victory over New Zealand.

As soon as they won, the players dropped to one knee and cried. Then they gathered in a circle afterward to sing a hymn — just as they did after their win in Rio 2016.

Argentina beat Great Britain for the bronze, while the Canadian men's rugby sevens team closed out its tournament with a loss against Australia.

Canada's women's team, the reigning Olympic bronze medallists, will get their start in Tokyo on Thursday. Canada will play Brazil in their opener. 

Assorted Canadian action

Rowers Jessica Sevick and Gabrielle Smith became the first Canadian rowers to crack the finals in Tokyo. The double sculls pair finished in sixth place.

Sydney Pickrem, of Halifax, swam to a sixth-place finish in the women's 200-metre individual medley. 

In the road cycling individual time trial events, Leah Kirchmann of Winnipeg finished in 12th and Karol-Ann Canuel, of Amos, Que., finished in 14th. On the men's side, Hugo Houle of Ste-Perpétue, Que., finished in 13th place after spending a good amount of time in the lead.

While Haley Daniels of Calgary didn't get past the qualifying stages of the women's C-1 canoe slalom event, she was among the first women to compete in canoes at the Olympics.

Before Tokyo, women only competed in kayaks at the Games.

Baseball and some former Blue Jays

Baseball made its return to the Olympic stage on Wednesday, and there were a few faces that might be familiar for Canadians. 

Former Toronto Blue Jays José Bautista, Melky Cabrera, and Emilio Bonifácio were playing for the Dominican Republic. 

Their team lost 4-3 to Japan, who last won a bronze medal in Athens 2004. 

While Canada competed back when baseball was last seen at the Olympics, in 2008, it didn't qualify a team for this year.