PARIS – When it comes to technique in mastering the intricacies of the butterfly stroke, Ilya Kharun comes by the attention to detail honestly.

And Canada’s latest Olympic medal flashed some of his best form on Wednesday night, swimming to a bronze medal in the 200-metre butterfly.

It was a breakthrough performance for the 19-year-old Olympic rookie and for the rapidly improving Canadian men’s team. Kharun’s effort helped that group join the pool party run by the women, in securing the first medal by a Canadian male swimmer since London 2012.