Team happy with Oleksiak's return despite falling short of 50m fly, 100m free finals

Penny Oleksiak's long recovery journey back to the pool is now complete.

Canada's most decorated Olympian was back in race mode early Wednesday morning in Barcelona competing at the annual Mare Nostrum event.

The 22-year-old from Toronto was unable to advance to the finals in the two events she raced in, however, her team considers it a successful return after nine months away from any competitive swimming action as she rehabilitated from knee surgery last August to repair a meniscus tear.

Oleksiak began with the 50m fly, posting a time of 27.35 which placed her 16th. Only the top-eight swimmers in the preliminaries advance to the A final.

It was then into the pool for the 100m freestyle, the same event Oleksiak won her Olympic gold medal in at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Canada's most decorated Olympian is BACK