She has been winning prizes and medals in swimming since she was 14, but a teacher tried to talk her out of pursuing competitive sport. Penny Oleksiak has now won three medals in Tokyo – and could not resist a swipe.
Penny Oleksiak is probably the most successful swimmer in Canada: at the Olympic Games in Tokyo she just won one silver and two bronze medals. A terrific success for the 21-year-old – but one that made her think back bitterly about her school days. Because, as she reported on Twitter, she was not supported by all of her teachers on her way to professional sport.
“I just googled ‘Canadian Most Honored Swimmer’ and got my name displayed,” the athlete wrote on Twitter. “I would like to thank the teacher at my high school who told me to stop swimming and focus on school because swimming would not be going anywhere for me. This is how dreams are made!” Penny Oleksiak had it Monarch Park Collegiate High School in Toronto besucht.
Oleksiak already showed her great talent at the age of 14
Even then, the teacher who was not mentioned by name could have guessed that Oleksiak was serious about professional sport. She has been swimming since she was nine, at 14 she won ten medals at the junior championships and at 16 she won four medals at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. To ask someone like that to give up competitive sport because it would not lead to professional success – that is a strong number.
Oleksiak received an overwhelming 120,000 likes on Twitter for this snappy comment – apparently many other people also know the feeling that their dreams were talked down or completely talked out of them at school. “That must have been the same teacher who didn’t let me take part in physical education,” replied canoe athlete Erica Scarff to the tweet. “Then I went to the Paralympics. You’re great, Penny! “Someone else writes to her:” You certainly had to overcome much bigger hurdles on your unique path than people who couldn’t believe in you as firmly as you. They were definitely more difficult to overcome, but not necessarily more meaningful. I’m so glad you pulled it off and are now inspiring an entire nation! “
Some critics feel personally attacked
But many people react almost insulted to the swipe of the exceptional athlete. You defend the unknown teacher and note that although many young people dream of professional sport and the Olympic Games, it does not work for everyone, which is why a good school education is important after all.
“This tip is unnecessary because teachers can not know everything about the extracurricular activities of their students. The profession of a teacher has many facets, but the academic training is right at the top,” writes one man. Another user criticized: “You are definitely one of the lucky ones who worked hard and were able to achieve your goal. But rising above this teacher who has selflessly and with good intentions expressed her opinion about your future does not throw a good light on it you.” However, it can be assumed that a multiple Olympic medalist like Penny Oleksiak is above such criticism, which also seems to sound a bit envy and resentment – she has already proven this by not being discouraged by her teacher at the time.
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I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
