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‘It’s just surreal': Stars’ Oleksiak supports younger sister in Rio

Swimming - Olympics: Day 2

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 07: Silver medalist Penny Oleksiak of Canada poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women’s 100m Butterfly Final on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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Jamie Oleksiak is no stranger to competing at a high level. The 23-year-old has played professional hockey for the last four years in the Stars organization.

Competing in high-level athletic competitions apparently runs in the Oleksiak family. Jamie’s younger sister, Penny, won a pair of medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. On Saturday, she took home bronze in the 4x100 meter swimming relay before taking home silver in the 100-meter relay the next day.

“It’s just surreal,” said the Stars defenseman, per TSN.ca. “I feel like the biggest super fan right now watching her and I’m screaming and losing my voice. She’s done such a great job and we’re all so proud of her. We’re all so proud to watch her represent Canada.”

The younger Oleksiak is still a teenager and should have many more years of competitive swimming in her future.

“She’s 16, she’s still a kid, she’s still going through those teen things and I think that’s great for her, especially competing on such a big stage, because I don’t think she thinks too much about it. She’s just kind of enjoying herself. She knows it’s just another swimming race. She’s just enjoying herself and that’s helping her compete.”

The Olympian has an opportunity to take home more medals on Wednesday and Thursday, as she’ll be competing in the 4x200 meter relay and women’s 100-meter freestyle races.