Introduction: A Champion at a Crossroads
Canada’s most decorated female Olympian, Penny Oleksiak, is confronting one of the most difficult periods of her athletic career — and doing so with determination, openness, and a firm denial of any wrongdoing related to performance-enhancing drugs. In a candid interview with CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux, the 25-year-old swimmer insisted she has never used banned substances and emphasized that she fully intends to return to elite competition once her two-year suspension concludes.
Oleksiak, who has earned seven Olympic medals across two Games, was suspended in November after missing three scheduled drug tests — a violation that falls under anti-doping “whereabouts” rules. The infractions occurred between October 2024 and June 2025. According to the Canadian swimmer, however, the issue was rooted in logistical errors and personal oversight, not an attempt to evade testing.
Despite the setback, Oleksiak says her eyes remain firmly on the horizon, specifically the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. What could have marked the end of a storied career, she insists, will instead become a reset that fuels her next athletic chapter.
A Devastating Suspension and Immediate Public Scrutiny
Understanding the Violation
Oleksiak’s suspension stems from a “whereabouts” violation — a rule requiring elite athletes to be available for unannounced testing during designated time slots and locations. Missing three such tests within a 12-month period triggers an automatic sanction comparable to testing positive for banned substances.
In Oleksiak’s case, the missed tests were clustered over roughly nine months. While critics and online speculation questioned whether the missed tests reflected something more deliberate, Oleksiak categorically rejected the idea that she had been avoiding doping authorities.
Oleksiak: “It’s never been me”
Speaking openly about the ordeal, Oleksiak stated emphatically that she has never used — nor considered using — performance-enhancing drugs.
“It’s never been me to do performance-enhancing drugs or even think about doing performance-enhancing drugs,” she told CBC Sports.
Her comments underscore her frustration at having her integrity questioned, especially after nearly a decade spent representing Canada on the world stage.
How the Missed Tests Happened: A Series of Personal and Scheduling Errors
Training Changes and Work Obligations
According to Oleksiak, the missed tests were the result of scheduling challenges, including shifts in her training routines and what she described as a non-swimming “work obligation.” She did not elaborate publicly on the nature of that commitment but emphasized that there was no intention to deceive anti-doping officials.
Rather, she viewed the situation as the result of her own disorganization, magnified by the demands of an elite athlete’s schedule.
Owning the Mistakes
In the interview, Oleksiak accepted responsibility and expressed remorse for letting the situation unfold.
“First and foremost, I’m sorry that this happened,” she said. “It wasn’t something I ever wanted to happen. It wasn’t something I ever expected to happen. I did do something wrong at the end of the day, and it’s something that I do have regret around.”
Her acknowledgment stands in contrast to athletes who have previously denied responsibility for whereabouts failures. Oleksiak, instead, presented the situation as a painful but honest mistake — one she has learned from.
Training in Isolation: The Impact of Her Suspension
Barred From Training With Her Team
One of the most difficult consequences of the two-year ban is the restriction placed on Oleksiak’s training environment. Her suspension prevents her from training with Swimming Canada, accessing high-performance facilities, or receiving official coaching support.
As a result, she has been forced to train in public pools, an unusual and challenging situation for a world-class athlete accustomed to structured, professional conditions.
Finding New Ways to Stay Ready
Despite the limitations, Oleksiak remains committed to maintaining — and even improving — her form. She describes the period as a unique opportunity to rebuild both physically and mentally.
“This feels like another little reset for me,” she shared. “I’m so excited to be able to show Canadians and even the world where I really am at the best point in my career while still being at the worst point in my career, essentially.”
Her mindset echoes earlier chapters of her journey, including a prolonged recovery from injury prior to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028
A Familiar Recovery Timeline
Oleksiak pointed out that the timeline leading up to the 2028 Olympics mirrors her previous experience preparing for Paris — but with one major difference: this time she is healthy.
“I spent a year-and-a-half rehabbing an injury and going to Paris 2024,” she said. “And now I again have that year-and-a-half to train. But I’m not injured this time. This time, I can just put my head down.”
With approximately one year remaining on her suspension before the Los Angeles Games, Oleksiak says she is treating this period not as a setback but as an extended training window.
Determined to Return Stronger
While many athletes might view a late-career suspension as the end of the road, Oleksiak insists she has more to give. She intends to rejoin the national program as soon as she is eligible and compete for a spot on the 2028 Olympic team.
“I have that passion and I know I have that drive,” she said. “This isn’t something new for me.”
A Career Defined by Excellence — Not Controversy
Canada’s Most Decorated Female Olympian
Penny Oleksiak vaulted to national stardom at age 16 when she won four medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics, including a gold in the 100-metre freestyle. She later added three more in Tokyo, bringing her total Olympic medal count to seven — the highest by any Canadian female athlete.
Her achievements made her one of Canada’s most celebrated Olympians, turning her into both a sporting icon and a public figure whose career has been closely followed.
A Supportive but Stunned Fan Base
After news of her suspension broke, reactions ranged from shock to disappointment to staunch support. Many fans expressed sympathy, noting that whereabouts failures — unlike positive tests — do not indicate the use of banned substances. Others felt the infraction raised difficult questions that Oleksiak would need to answer publicly.
Her interview appears to be a step toward rebuilding trust, offering transparency around what happened and reaffirming her commitment to clean sport.
Conclusion: A Difficult Chapter, but Not the Final One
Penny Oleksiak’s suspension marks a complicated moment in the career of an athlete who has already lived through the highs and lows of elite competition. Yet her candid denial of doping, her willingness to accept responsibility, and her unwavering focus on the future suggest this is not the story’s final chapter.
Her path to Los Angeles 2028 will not be simple. Training outside professional environments, regaining peak form, and restoring public confidence will each require significant effort. But Oleksiak maintains that adversity is nothing new to her — and that resilience has always been one of her greatest strengths.
For now, Canada’s most decorated female Olympian is preparing quietly, humbly, and with renewed purpose. When her suspension lifts, she intends to return not just to competition, but to the global stage where her career first captured the nation’s imagination.
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