Ilya Kharun to Switch Swimming Representation to US

Olympic swimmer Ilya Kharun, a two-time bronze medalist for Canada at the 2024 Paris Games, announced Monday that he will switch his international representation to the United States, citing his lifelong ties to the country where he grew up.

The 20-year-old dual citizen, born in Montreal but raised in Las Vegas, shared the decision in an Instagram post, expressing gratitude to Canada while emphasizing his American roots. Kharun has represented Canada in international competition since 2022, but he noted that he has always felt American. "I grew up in Las Vegas. I've lived in America my whole life. I've never represented a club team outside of USA Swimming," he wrote. "I've got a long career left as a swimmer and I'd like to be based at home. And that home is in the USA."

Kharun's accomplishments for Canada include bronze medals in the men's 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly events at the Paris Olympics, marking the first time a Canadian man earned two medals in a single Games since Curtis Myden in 1996. He also secured a bronze in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore and became the first Canadian to win a World Cup triple crown in the 200-meter...