Taylor Ruck always wanted to represent Canada in the Olympics and on Saturday night she helped bring home the country’s first medal of the 2016 games in Rio.
Ruck grew up mostly in Arizona, but at heart her hometown is Kelowna, according to the Olympic website. Her mother Sophia and brother Hunter both trained locally with the Kelowna AquaJets Swim Club.
The 16-year-old participated in the 4X100m freestyle relay in Rio on Saturday night, where the Canadian team came third, behind Australia and the U.S. Besides Ruck, the team included fellow 16-year-old Penny Oleksiak, Sandrine Mainville, Chantal Van Landeghem and preliminary competitor Michelle Williams.
Last year, Ruck won six medals at the World Junior Championships in Singapore, and broke two world records. She was recognized as Youth Female Swimmer of the Year by Swimming Canada the same year.
She’s still in Grade 11 but it appears the teen has a pretty bright future ahead of her.
So far, this bronze medal is Canada’s only in 2016 as Day Two starts up in Rio.
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