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Penny Oleksiak, the most decorated Olympic athlete in Canadian history, has accepted a two-year suspension from competitive swimming for anti-doping rule violations.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) made the announcement on Tuesday after the seven-time Olympic medalist committed three location failures between October 2024 and June 2025.
Oleksiak’s suspension will end on July 14, 2027, prior to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
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Canadian Olympic swimmer Penny Oleksiak on the SportsTrade stage during day two of Collision 2023 at the Enercare Center in Toronto, Canada. (Harry Murphy/Sportsfile)
“We are committed to enforcing and supporting all anti-doping rules as outlined in the Canadian Anti-Doping Program and through World Aquatics and the World Anti-Doping Agency,” Suzanne Paulins, CEO of Swimming Canada, said in a statement, according to ESPN. “While we accept Penny’s explanation that these were unintentional errors and that she did not use banned substances, anti-doping regulations are in place to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.
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“We will miss Penny on the national team and hope to see her back in the pool when she is eligible.”
A whereabouts failure, as defined by the World Anti-Doping Code, occurs when a combination of three missed tests or reporting failures occurs within a 12-month period.
Oleksiak was informed by the ITA of the whereabouts case earlier this year, which ultimately led to her provisional suspension in July. She withdrew from the World Aquatics Championships that month.
Penny Oleksiak competes in the women’s 50m freestyle final during day seven of the 2024 Canada Olympic Swimming Trials on May 19, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“I am and have always been a clean athlete and I will make no further comments at this time,” Oleksiak said in July 2025 when she withdrew from the World Aquatics Championships.
Oleksiak, 25, has won one gold, two silver and four bronze medals during his Olympic career. Her seven medals are tied for the most all-time, male or female, with sprinter Andre De Grasse.
Penny Oleksiak of Canada watches before competing in the women’s 100-meter freestyle final during day two of the TYR Pro Swim Series Westmont at FMC Natatorium on March 6, 2025 in Westmont, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
She also has nine World Championship medals, winning silver twice and seven bronze medals during her career.
