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Oleksiak ties Manuel for gold, sets Canadian record with 4th medal in Rio

REUTERS/David Gray

Penny Oleksiak broke the Canadian record for medals in a single Summer Olympics by claiming a gold in the 100m freestyle on Thursday.

Oleksiak tied U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel, as both set an Olympic record of 52.70 seconds in the event and will stand atop the podium together. It's Canada's first gold in Rio and Oleksiak accounts for four of seven medals overall.

It's the first time a Canadian has won a gold medal in the pool since Mark Tewksbury took the 100m backstroke in Barcelona 1992.

It was an incredible final 50 meters for Oleksiak as she came from the back of the pack to charge into the lead and touch at the same time as the American.

The 16-year-old (now the youngest Canadian gold medalist) is still set to compete in the 4x100m medley relay and could tie speedskater Cindy Klassen for most medals in any single Olympics if Canada reaches the podium.

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