
What were you doing at 16?
Probably not as much as Penny Oleksiak, who might need to buy another trophy case pretty soon.
The 16-year-old Canadian star of the Rio 2016 Olympics was named the Lou Marsh Award winner on Tuesday, given annually to Canada’s athlete of the year.
This means a lot to me!! đđđ»đđ» Thank you so so much https://t.co/DFfGZpGrqv
— Penny Oleksiak (@OleksiakPenny) December 13, 2016
Oleksiak is the youngest athlete to ever win the Lou Marsh, which was first awarded back in 1936. Sidney Crosby previously held the record when he won in 2007 at the age of 20.
Penny was the right choice, given her incredible performance in the pool in Rio. She won four medals – the first Canadian to do so at a single Summer Olympics – including Canada’s first swimming gold since 1992.
Oleksiak had stiff competition for the award this year, beating out Andre De Grasse (sprinting), Derek Drouin (high jump), Brooke Henderson (golf), and Crosby (hockey).
Recent Lou Marsh Award winners:
Year | Athlete | Sport |
2015 | Carey Price | Ice hockey |
2014 | Kaillie Humphries | Bobsleigh |
2013 | Jon Cornish | Canadian football |
2012 | Christine Sinclair | Soccer |
2011 | Patrick Chan | Figure skating |
2010 | Joey Votto | Baseball |
2009 | Sidney Crosby | Ice hockey |
2008 | Chantal Petitclerc | Wheelchair racing |
2007 | Sidney Crosby | Ice hockey |
2006 | Cindy Klassen | Speed skating |
2005 | Steve Nash | Basketball |