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Canadian Swim Star Ilya Kharun to Compete for United States in Major Nationality Switch
Canadian swimming has been dealt a major blow after Ilya Kharun, one of the nation’s brightest Olympic stars, announced he will now compete for the United States. The 20-year-old butterfly specialist confirmed the decision on social media this week, ending a highly successful chapter with Swimming Canada and setting the stage for a new international career south of the border.
Kharun, a dual citizen, won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics and quickly became one of the most decorated Canadian male swimmers of the modern era. His decision has sent ripples through the Canadian sporting community, particularly with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon.
A Rising Star Leaves Team Canada
Born in Montreal but raised in Las Vegas, Kharun has represented Canada since 2022. During that time, he delivered historic performances, including bronze medals in the 100-metre and 200-metre butterfly in Paris. He became the first Canadian man to win two medals at a single Olympic Games since Curtis Myden in 1996.
In his Instagram announcement, Kharun expressed gratitude rather than controversy. “It’s been an honour wearing the Maple Leaf,” he wrote, thanking Swimming Canada, head coach John Atkinson, and his teammates for shaping both his athletic and personal growth.
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Swimming Canada Reacts
Swimming Canada confirmed it was aware of Ilya Kharun’s intent to switch national allegiance and publicly wished him well. Atkinson admitted he was surprised and disappointed but emphasized the swimmer’s lasting legacy.
“The historic things he has done for Canada can never be taken away,” Atkinson said. “What he has done as part of our national team is part of our history.”
Ilya Kharun’s departure leaves a notable gap in Canada’s men’s program, particularly in relay events where podium ambitions had been growing.
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When Can Kharun Swim for the US?
Under World Aquatics rules, Ilya Kharun must wait one year from his official release by Swimming Canada before competing internationally for the United States. That waiting period will expire well ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, positioning him as a potential medal contender for Team USA on home soil.
Currently training at Arizona State University, one of the world’s top collegiate swimming programs, Kharun is already embedded in the American high-performance system.
A Decorated Career at Just 20
Beyond his Olympic success, Ilya Kharun’s résumé includes gold in the 200m butterfly at the 2024 short-course world championships in Budapest and multiple world championship medals. He also holds Canadian national records in both long-course and short-course butterfly events and captured a rare World Cup triple crown in 2025.
While Kharun’s exit is a setback, Swimming Canada insists the men’s program has greater depth than in past decades. Still, losing a generational butterfly talent raises broader questions about athlete support, funding, and long-term retention.
As Ilya Kharun prepares for the next phase of his career, his decision highlights the increasingly global—and competitive—nature of elite sport, where national allegiance can shift as quickly as medal fortunes.
