Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak has been handed a two-year ban from competition due to an anti-doping rule violation, according to the International Testing Agency (ITA). The suspension follows Oleksiak’s acceptance of responsibility for three whereabouts failures occurring between October 2024 and June 2025. This ban means she will be ineligible to compete until July 14, 2027, just before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The ITA announced the decision in a news release on Tuesday, emphasizing that the violations stemmed from missed tests rather than evidence of substance abuse. Swimming Canada chief executive officer Suzanne Paulins expressed her commitment to enforcing anti-doping rules, stating, “While we accept Penny’s explanation these were inadvertent errors and she has not used banned substances, anti-doping regulations are in place to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.”
A whereabouts failure, as defined by the World Anti-Doping Code, occurs when an athlete misses three tests or fails to provide accurate location information within a 12-month period. The ITA had informed Oleksiak of her case earlier this year, leading to her withdrawal from the world aquatics championships in July, where she accepted a provisional suspension.
Oleksiak, hailing from Toronto, is Canada’s most decorated female Olympian, with a remarkable career that includes seven Olympic medals: one gold, two silver, and four bronze. Additionally, she has secured nine world championship medals, including two silver and seven bronze.
Swimming Canada expressed regret over Oleksiak’s absence from the national team, with Paulins noting, “We will miss Penny on the national team and hope to see her back in the pool when she is eligible.” The organization remains dedicated to supporting athletes while upholding the integrity of competitive sports.
As the sporting world anticipates Oleksiak’s return, the focus remains on the importance of compliance with anti-doping regulations to maintain fairness and integrity in all competitions.
