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But Canada is more than that. The men’s side has been subsumed by the amazing women’s side for several years, but it’s coming back now. with France and the artists formerly known at this competition as Russia. They were Neutral Athletes B, which meant a win produced the anthem of World Aquatics. It’s about as stirring an anthem as you’d imagine.

And medals matter, though there was more than that. The 20-year-old Ilya Kharun can feel like a roulette wheel, but he finally hit with his bronze in the 100 butterfly; Josh Liendo, whose lingering illness truly impacted him this year, is expected to return to elite levels, and is just 22. The men’s medley 4x100 also includes 23-year-old backstroker Blake Tierney, who finished fourth in the men’s 200-metre backstroke and set several Canadian records here. It also has 17-year-old breaststroker Oliver Dawson, who put some personal bests up this week, including a 1:53.02 in the finals of the 4x100 medley relay, in which Canada finished fifth on Sunday. His official best time in that distance — legs of relays past the opening one don’t count as records — was 2:10.32, at the Canadian trials.

“Crazy,” said Dawson. “I can’t put it into words, how it’s been. I didn’t expect to do what I’ve done. I’m happy.”

Mary-Sophie Harvey’s first individual long-course medal was a long time coming, and well deserved for a 25-year-old who has become a pillar in the program, and she still has room to grow. Kylie Masse extended her streak of 16 major competitions in which she has earned a medal, in the 4x100 mixed medley relay. She’s not sure what her future holds, but bet on a continuation of swimming, even though she has taken a step back since the Paris Olympics.

“We’ve always had great success in this relay, and it’s something really special,” Masse said after the women’s 4x100 medley relay finished fifth, in the final race of the meet. “And I know that people are vying for positions, so to have that in Canada is great because it’s just driving the domestic competition to be able to then compete with the rest of the world.”

Eighteen-year-old Ethan Ekk is progressing. Taylor Ruck, who was once a rising star, had a solid meet, is finding swimming fun again, and may have set her sights to Los Angeles 2028 after toying with retirement late last year. 

And yes, Canada finished fourth five times. We used to call that Canadian bronze, in the lean old Olympic days, but here, it’s a measure of both possibility and inevitability. Masse is a miraculous swimmer, still a gamer at 29, but she finished fourth in the 50 and 100 backstroke here after her step back from the sport. It’s a natural cycle. She’s widely regarded as a leader, a mentor, a rock. She’s been a Canadian treasure. Fourth isn’t always fourth.

So ends these world championships. Los Angeles is three years away. A lot of people deserve a rest, and then, the climb begins again.