Kylie Masse
Kylie Masse
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
5x Olympic Medalist | World Champion | Former World Record Holder
Hometown: LaSalle, Ontario
College: University of Toronto
Career Highlights
2024 Olympic Games – Paris
- Bronze – 200m Backstroke
- First Canadian swimmer to win an individual medal at three consecutive Olympic Games
2020 Olympic Games – Tokyo
- Silver – 100m Backstroke
- Silver – 200m Backstroke
- Bronze – 4×100m Medley Relay
2016 Olympic Games – Rio de Janeiro
- Bronze – 100m Backstroke
World Aquatics Championships (Long Course)
- Gold – 100m Backstroke (2017 – World Record, 2019)
- Gold – 50m Backstroke (2022)
- Silver – 100m Backstroke (2022)
- Bronze – 200m Backstroke (2019)
- Bronze – 4×100m Medley Relay (2019, 2022)
Commonwealth Games
- 4x Gold Medalist (100m Back, 200m Back, 50m Back)
- Multiple Commonwealth Games record holder
Kylie Masse is one of the most consistent and technically proficient backstrokers in history. A native of LaSalle, Ontario, she developed into a world-class athlete at the University of Toronto under coach Byron MacDonald. Kylie exploded onto the international scene at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning bronze in the 100m backstroke.
She followed that breakout performance by becoming the first Canadian woman to win a World Championship title in 2017, shattering the World Record in the 100m backstroke in the process. Known for her incredible underwater work and immaculate technique, Kylie has remained a podium staple for nearly a decade, culminating in her historic third consecutive individual Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
FROM THE CLINICIAN
Consistency is Everything: Throughout my career, I have tried not to get too into the highs or too low on the lows. Swimming is an objective sport where we obsess over our times, but if you get wrapped up in the outcome every day, it gets exhausting. I focus on being consistent in my effort and my attitude. That stability is what allows you to perform when the pressure is highest.
Feel for the Water: I am a huge believer in maintaining a “feel” for the water. In 2020, when pools were closed, I even tied a tether to my parents’ backyard fence just to swim in place and keep that sensation. You don’t always need a perfect facility to get better; you just need to find a way to keep your connection with the water.
My Advice to Swimmers Enjoy the journey and the friends you make along the way—those memories are just as important as the medals. If you stay patient and focus on your own improvement rather than comparing yourself to others, the results will take care of themselves.
