Canadian Swim Star Ilya Kharun to Compete for U.S. After Olympic Triumph
Swimmer Ilya Kharun, renowned for his achievements in competitive swimming, has announced his decision to compete for the United States. The 20-year-old, who holds dual citizenship, recently garnered attention after winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Kharun shared his news via social media, expressing gratitude towards Swimming Canada and his teammates.
Kharun’s Transition to U.S. Competition
Kharun was born in Montreal but spent his formative years in Las Vegas. He did not elaborate extensively on his reasons for switching national representation but acknowledged the support he received from Canadian swimming officials and fellow athletes. He thanked John Atkinson, the high-performance director and national coach of Swimming Canada, for believing in him during his journey with the national team.
Impact on Canadian Swimming
Atkinson expressed surprise and disappointment regarding Kharun’s decision. He emphasized the athlete’s significant contributions to the sport in Canada, stating that Kharun’s achievements will always be a part of the country’s swimming history. Kharun notably became the first Canadian male swimmer to win two medals at a single Olympics since Curtis Myden in 1996.
- Bronze medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly events at the Paris Olympics.
- Gold medal in the 200m butterfly at the 2024 short-course world championships in Hungary.
- Bronze medal in the 100m fly at the 2023 long-course world championships in Singapore.
Kharun holds national records for both long-course and short-course events in the 50m and 200m butterfly. He recently showcased his talent at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Toronto, winning the men’s 50m butterfly final.
Future Prospects
According to World Aquatics regulations, Kharun will need to wait one year after his release from Swimming Canada before he can officially represent the United States. This timeframe aligns well before the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
At Arizona State University, Kharun has made an impact as a competitive swimmer. His absence from the Canadian team may challenge their chances at future events, but Atkinson insisted that the program has ample depth with other promising swimmers, like Josh Liendo and Blake Tierneys, ready to step up.
Kharun’s Unique Journey
Kharun’s path to the Canadian national team was unplanned. Born in Montreal, he relocated to Las Vegas shortly after birth. He initially considered competing for the U.S. until a registration mishap at the junior Pan Pacific championships led him to represent Canada instead.
As Kharun transitions to competing for the United States, the Canadian swimming community reflects on his contributions while also looking toward the next generation of swimmers who will carry on the legacy he helped establish.
