Canada wins bronze medal in women’s 4×100 team relay

RIO DE JANEIRO — Canada has its first medal of the Rio Olympics after the women’s 4×100 relay swim team won bronze in the opening day’s final event in the pool.

Canada was in third for most of the race, and 16-year-old Penny Oleksiak held off the Netherlands with a strong anchor leg.

Oleksiak combined with Sandrine Mainville, Chantal Van Landeghem and Taylor Ruck, another 16-year-old, to finish in a time of three minutes 32.89 seconds.

Michelle Williams, who didn’t swim in the final but participated in the earlier heats, will also get a medal.

It’s Canada’s first medal in the event in 40 years.

Australia won gold, while the United States took silver.

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