Ottawa, July 1st, 2025. – If there’s one place Canada can show its best nationwide support, it’s with its athletes. Travelling around the world while representing our maple leaf holds a certain level of pride that only we Canadians can express for years to come. To celebrate this year’s Canada Day, Diving Canada has decided to speak with some of our Olympic divers to get their perspective on the pride and greatness that come with representing the Canadian Maple Leaf around the world.
Rylan Wiens started diving when he was just six years old. Now 23 and finishing his fourth year of kinesiology, he’s still as hooked on adrenaline as ever, whether it’s flying off a diving board or ripping through trails on a dirt bike. His Olympic journey has taken him to Tokyo and more recently, Paris, and it was there, in the City of Lights, that he brought home a bronze medal. That moment, seeing the Canadian flag rise and standing on the podium with teammate Nathan Zsombor-Murray, hit deep.
“It was unbelievable. Each experience was amazing and different,” Wiens says. “Paris especially; no COVID this time, and having my family in the stands, our team together, and seeing the flag being lifted… that was something super unique I’ll cherish forever,” said Wiens.
Coming home from Paris 2024 was a wave of emotions and a flood of support.
“My phone blew up like I’ve never seen before. I don’t even know how long it took me to respond to everyone. It was awesome. And when I got back, just walking around, people came up to say how proud they were. It reminded me of everyone who helped me get here. It wasn’t just my medal; it belonged to all of us.” he continues.
Nathan Zsombor-Murray, who shared that podium moment with Rylan, puts it simply but powerfully, “It felt good.” For Nathan, the weight of national pride is something he carries with humility and strength.
“The pressure is a privilege. It takes a lot of hard work to get here, and people watching from Canada, they know that. We’re fairly united people in that sense, and I feel that energy when I’m competing. It’s a sense of pride knowing my country has my back.”
And that pride doesn’t disappear once the game ends. It follows them home and becomes part of their story, their identity, and their everyday life. That’s what makes Canadian athletes so special, not just what they do at the moment, but how they carry the spirit of the nation with them long after the crowd quiets down.
As for what advice Wiens would give to the next generation of athletes who are preparing to step into the spotlight and feel the pressure of a nation watching, he’s clear, Try to be the best version of yourself!
“We’re a great nation, accepting, supportive, and if we show that to the world, we’re showing what it means to be great. As a role model, I try to lead with that every day. That’s what I want the next generation to know,” said Wiens.
On this Canada Day, it’s more than just red and white gear, more than waving flags and fireworks. It’s about taking a moment to recognize the people who take a piece of all of us with them every time they step onto a world stage. Rylan. Nathan. Every Canadian athlete. They don’t just compete, they represent. And they remind us just how powerful it is to stand for something bigger than ourselves.
A story written by Elyse Barker
About Diving Plongeon Canada
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of World Aquatics, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation of the world. For information, visit www.diving.ca.
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Information:
Alexandra Piché
Communications Manager
Diving Plongeon Canada
alexandra@diving.ca