Canadian swimmer Ilya Kharun, a rising star in the pool, has made the decision to switch his competitive allegiance to the United States. The 20-year-old athlete, who holds dual citizenship and claimed two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, announced this move on social media on Monday.
Born in Montreal but raised in Las Vegas, Kharun did not elaborate on the reasons behind his switch but expressed gratitude towards Swimming Canada and his fellow teammates. In an Instagram post, he thanked John Atkinson and the entire Swimming Canada team, acknowledging their role in shaping him both as a swimmer and an individual. Kharun also expressed appreciation for his Canadian teammates and the honor of representing Canada in international competitions.
High performance director and national coach John Atkinson, speaking to CBC Sports, admitted feeling somewhat surprised and disappointed by Kharun’s decision. Despite the loss to the Canadian men’s swimming roster, Atkinson praised Kharun for his contributions to the country and acknowledged his impact on Canadian swimming history.
Under World Aquatics regulations, Kharun will be ineligible to compete for the United States until one year after his release from Swimming Canada. This timeframe ensures that he will be eligible to represent the United States well ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Having competed for Canada since 2022, Kharun’s achievements include gold in the 200m butterfly at the short-course world championships in Hungary in 2024 and bronze in the 100m fly at the long-course world championships in Singapore. He holds national records in the 50m and 200m butterfly events in both long-course and short-course formats.
Kharun’s departure poses a challenge for the Canadian men’s relay team, which had shown promise with Kharun, Josh Liendo, and other key swimmers. Despite this setback, Atkinson emphasized the depth of talent within the Canadian swimming program, highlighting the potential for continued success with a strong pool of athletes.
Reflecting on Kharun’s journey to the national team, it was an unexpected path shaped by his early life in Montreal, brief as it was, before relocating to Las Vegas. Initially on track to represent the United States at a junior championship, Kharun’s Canadian roots surfaced when he presented his Canadian passport instead of an American one during registration, leading to his unexpected switch in national representation.
Kharun’s recent performances on the global stage, including his World Cup triumphs in the 200m butterfly, showcased his talent and potential, marking a significant chapter in his swimming career.
