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Josh Liendo

Josh Liendo is a Canadian competitive swimmer known for butterfly and freestyle events.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Josh Liendo is a Canadian competitive swimmer specializing in butterfly and freestyle events. He won an Olympic silver medal in the men’s 100m butterfly at the Paris 2024 Games, setting a Canadian national record of 49.99 seconds. Liendo is also recognized as the first Black Canadian to win an Olympic swimming medal.

Early life and background

Josh Liendo grew up in Toronto, Ontario. He progressed through age-group and junior competitions before representing Canada at the senior international level.

International career

Liendo made his international debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. He represented Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and later won a silver medal in the men’s 100m butterfly at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He has also earned multiple medals at the World Aquatics Championships in butterfly and freestyle events.

NCAA career

Liendo competed for the University of Florida, winning multiple NCAA championships. His collegiate performances helped establish him as one of Canada’s leading swimmers.

Record-breaking achievements

Liendo set a Canadian national record of 49.99 seconds in the men’s 100m butterfly at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He also became the first Black Canadian to win an Olympic swimming medal.

Key facts

  • Won Olympic silver in men’s 100m butterfly at Paris 2024 with a Canadian record of 49.99 seconds.
  • First Black Canadian to win an Olympic swimming medal.
  • Represented Canada at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
  • Earned multiple medals at senior world championships in butterfly and freestyle.
  • Won NCAA titles while competing for the University of Florida.
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Canadian context

Liendo is one of Canada’s leading swimmers and has contributed to historic milestones for Canadian swimming, including Olympic success and national records. He is also notable for becoming the first Black Canadian to win an Olympic swimming medal.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Josh Liendo?
Josh Liendo is a Canadian swimmer who competes in butterfly and freestyle events. He is an Olympic silver medallist and a multiple-time international medal winner.
What Olympic medal did Josh Liendo win?
He won silver in the men’s 100m butterfly at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Did Josh Liendo set a Canadian record at the Olympics?
Yes. He set a Canadian record of 49.99 seconds in the men’s 100m butterfly at Paris 2024.
What university did Josh Liendo attend?
He competed for the University of Florida.
What events does Josh Liendo swim?
His main events include the 50m and 100m freestyle and the 100m butterfly.
Why is Josh Liendo notable in Canadian swimming?
He is recognized for winning Canada’s first Olympic swimming medal by a Black Canadian athlete and for producing strong results at the Olympics, world championships, and NCAA level.

References

  1. Olympic.cahttps://olympic.ca/team-canada/joshua-liendo/
    Supports: Olympic silver medal in the men’s 100m butterfly at Paris 2024 and Canadian record of 49.99 seconds.
  2. Swimming Canadahttps://www.swimming.ca/swimmer/joshua-liendo/
    Supports: Paris 2024 Olympic silver medal and historic first Black Canadian Olympic swimming medal.
  3. World Aquaticshttps://www.worldaquatics.com/athletes/1159165/josh-liendo
    Supports: Athlete nationality and international results record.
  4. Olympics.comhttps://www.olympics.com/en/news/swimming-josh-liendo-top-facts-music-academic
    Supports: Youth Olympic Games participation, Tokyo 2020 debut, 2021 short-course world relay gold, and 2022 World Championships medals.
  5. Swimming World Magazinehttps://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/josh-liendo-repeats-as-swimming-canada-male-swimmer-of-the-year/
    Supports: University of Florida affiliation, NCAA titles, and Swimming Canada honours.
  6. CBC Sportshttps://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/aquatics/swimming/canada-swim-trial-josh-liendo-records-barriers-1.6412246
    Supports: Toronto background, early Canadian record-breaking, and first Black Canadian milestones.