PATH TO PARIS: Wiens returns to USask with Olympic medal

Wiens spent the past three years training for the 2024 Paris Summer Games with Saskatoon Diving Club coach Mary Carroll preparing to compete in the men’s 10-metre synchronized diving event and the 10-metre individual event.

“I started diving when I was six years old with a dream of going to the Olympics,” said Wiens, a 22-year-old from Pike Lake. “After I achieved that in 2021 going to Tokyo, the next three years I spent dedicated to getting a medal in Paris 2024. So, I have spent 16 years in the sport of diving, with the last three completely focused on getting a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.”

His dedication and training paid off as he finished third in the men’s 10-metre synchronized diving event, alongside his partner in the event, Nathan Zsombor-Murray. It was the first time Canada has ever reached the podium in this event.

“After realizing that I had landed on the podium with a bronze medal it was surreal,” he said. “I just remember jumping up and down with Nathan and cheering as loud as I could. I don’t exactly remember a ton about it because it was such an overwhelming feeling reaching a lifelong goal. Stepping up on to the podium with my whole family cheering and watching was a moment I will never forget.”

With the adrenaline of winning a bronze medal still running high, Wiens began to shift his focus to his 10-metre individual event. Wiens obtained Canada’s best score on the opening day with 485.25 points, finishing third in the qualifiers. This set him up to qualify for the semifinals the following day with 17 other divers, who all aimed to make the top 12 for the finals.

“After winning the medal, I spent two days soaking everything in with my family and at the village. After those two days, I had about nine days before my individual event,” he said. “Once I began training again and focusing for individual (competition), I hid my medal and tried to get rid of all traces of my previous performance. Doing this I was able to get back into the performance mindset that I needed to be in, to do well individually. Heading into the competition, I didn’t have anything to lose. In the prelim, semifinal and final, I went for it 100 per cent and left nothing on the table.”

Wiens had a strong first dive, but the competition began to slip away leaving him with a seventh-place finish in the individual event.

As Wiens travelled home, he had two things on his mind; rest and time off.

“After the Olympics I flew right home to Saskatoon to see some friends and family and do some media interviews,” he said. “After three days, I left to tour the northern United States going through Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Hiking and swimming along the way. After that I went for a six-day motorcycle camping trip through British Columbia which was amazing. Most recently I got back from a backcountry canoe camping trip from northern Saskatchewan, along with a few days on the lake wakeboarding and surfing.”

He also spent time with family and friends, sharing his bronze medal with those who have supported him along the way, including USask Rec High Performance Centre trainer Jason Weber and Huskie Health physiotherapist Jessica Pawlik.

Those closest to Wiens know that he is humble, loyal, and strives to be a good person.

“Rylan is the type of person you want in your presence,” said Dr. Dani Brittain (PhD), dean of the College of Kinesiology. “He is loyal, modest and an amazing role model. The moment you meet him, you feel uplifted. His positive attitude is contagious, and he brings that with him everywhere he goes. We are so lucky to have him as a student at the University of Saskatchewan.”

Wiens is now looking forward to taking the next four months off from training to focus on his studies and getting involved in other ways on campus. Once he graduates from the College of Kinesiology, he intends to apply to study medicine at USask.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that has been there along the way,” he said. “I want to thank my parents and coach Mary Carroll for helping me to become the person and athlete I am today. As well I want to thank strength coach Jason Weber and physio Jessica Pawlick for being there to help me reach my full physical potential and keep my body in full working condition.”

“On top of that I wanted to thank all my professors in the last four years I worked with through USask. I can say that every single one was amazing and essential on my journey to an Olympic medal. The flexibility I was given was unbelievable and it has helped me to achieve the highest of highs in sport, while keeping on track to achieving my next goal of getting into medicine,” said Wiens.