Ilya Kharun announced that he would begin competing for the United States after switching his national allegiance from Canada. The swimmer was born in Canada and held a Canadian passport, which made him ineligible to represent the U.S. despite his desire to do so.
Kharun made his major international debut at the 2022 Short Course World Swimming Championships, where he set a junior world record in the 100m butterfly.
Ilya Kharun Announces Switching His National Allegiance From Canada to the United States
Kharun hails from Quebec, born to Ukrainian parents who were circus acrobats in the Canadian entertainment company, Cirque du Soleil. They later moved to Las Vegas to continue their careers with the same contemporary circus producer, and they also wanted their son to pursue swimming as a US citizen.
However, that plan ultimately failed because Kharun held a Canadian passport and was allowed to compete for the country of his birth.
In a recent Instagram post, the 20-year-old announced that he would now represent the U.S. He expressed gratitude to the Canadian team for their immense support and for allowing him to visit different countries throughout his career. Kharun specifically thanked national coach John Atkinson for his guidance, but also stated that he had always felt like an American.
“Hey everyone, I’ve got big news. I’m changing my international representation from Canada to USA. First off, I’d like to thank everyone in Canada. It’s been incredible to travel the world representing Canada and while competing with the top Canadian athletes. John Atkinson and everyone representing Swim Canada, thank you. I would not be the swimmer or person am today without your support. To my Canadian teammates, thank you…Despite the incredible support I’ve received from Canada, I’ve always felt like an American,” he wrote.
The Olympian shared that he had always connected most with America, having never stepped outside a USA Swimming club team. He also called the U.S. his home as he set his sights on making more waves in the days to come.
At the Canadian Swimming Trials in 2023, Kharun won the 200m butterfly event. He trailed in second in the 200m individual medley, 50m, and 100m butterfly events. He set multiple Canadian national records in the butterfly sprint and achieved significant success at the collegiate level.
He competed for the Arizona State University, won two gold medals at the 2024 Nationals, and helped the Sun Devils to an NCAA record in the medley relay. He also won multiple All-American and Pac-12 honors.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kharun was part of the Canadian team, winning bronze in the 100m and 200m butterfly.
