James Dergousoff

Biography

James Dergousoff won his first major international medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, capturing bronze as a member of the men’s 4x100m medley relay team. He returned to the Pan Am Games at Lima 2019 where he won silver with the mixed 4x100m medley relay and was a finalist in the men’s 200m breaststroke.

In 2022, Dergousoff won the men’s 100m and 200m breaststroke events at the Canadian Swimming Trials, qualifying him to make his debut at the World Aquatics Championships and the Commonwealth Games. The world championships didn’t go quite to plan as he was disqualified in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke events. He also competed in the 200m breaststroke and men’s 4x100m medley relay. Dergousoff won silver at the Commonwealth Games in the mixed 4x100m medley relay for which he swam the breaststroke leg. Individually, he was a finalist in the men’s 200m breaststroke.   

Dergousoff took his first steps towards wearing the maple leaf after joining Swimming Canada’s Development Program in 2011 with the Prospects Initiative. He went on to compete at the 2012 US Youth Tour and the 2012 North American Challenge Cup. In 2013 he attended the Australian Youth Olympic Festival and qualified for his first major international meet, the World Aquatics Junior Championships, where he finished 21^st in the 200m breaststroke and 25^th in the 100m breaststroke.

A Little More About James

Getting into the Sport: Started swimming at 5 in the local lake… Went to the pool in the winter because he missed the water… Outside Interests: Away from swimming enjoys relaxing, back country camping, and playing hockey… Works as a park ranger… Odds and Ends: Biggest inspiration has been his grandparents who were always at meets growing up and were the best support staff he could ask for… Listens to dub-step music before competing… Grew up in a town of just 700 people…