By James Sutherland on SwimSwam
Two-time Olympic medalist and current short course world champion Ilya Kharun announced Monday he’s changing his sporting citizenship to represent the United States on the international stage after swimming under the Canadian flag for the past three and a half years.
Kharun, 20, made the announcement on Instagram, noting that he’s lived in the U.S. his entire life and “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 I am today without your support. To my Canadian teammates, thank you. You helped me progress into the person I am today. You guys really made me feel like I was part of a family. It’s been an honor wearing the Maple Leaf flag and everyone in Canada will always have my support.
Despite the incredible support I’ve received from Canada, I’ve always felt like an 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. 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.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ilya Kharun (@ilya_kharun)
Kharun told SwimSwam that his sporting citizenship change becomes official on October 26, 2026–just in time for the U.S. selection meet for the Short Course World Championships.
World Aquatics rules dictate that a swimmer must observe a 12-month waiting period from the last time they represented their former country before repping a new nation at a World Aquatics event. His last meet for Canada was the Toronto leg of the 2025 World Cup, which concluded on October 25.
Kharun was born in Montreal, Quebec, as his Ukrainian parents were performers in the Canadian-based entertainment company Cirque de Soleil, but he grew up in Las Vegas and swam for the Sandpipers of Nevada.
In 2022, Kharun was named to the U.S. team for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, but he was removed from the roster before the competition after it was learned that he only held a Canadian passport, and thus would have to compete for the nation he was born in.
After representing Canada at the 2022 Short Course World Championships and 2023 World Aquatics Championships, Kharun officially became an American citizen in early April 2024, but said at the time he planned on continuing to swim for Canada on the international stage.
Later that year, he made his Olympic debut for Canada, winning a pair of bronze medals in the men’s 100 fly (50.45) and 200 fly (1:52.80), with the latter still standing as the Canadian Record.
At the end of 2024, he won the short course world title in the men’s 200 fly (1:48.24) and added a silver medal in the 50 fly (21.67), with both marks still standing as the national record. He also won two silver and one bronze medal on the Canadian relays at the meet.
At the 2025 World Championships, Kharun won bronze in the men’s 100 fly, putting up a new lifetime best of 50.07, just shy of Josh Liendo‘s national record set at the Paris Olympics (49.99). Kharun was also 4th in the 200 fly (1:54.34) and 9th in the 50 fly (22.85).
Most recently internationally, Kharun raced all three legs of the 2025 World Cup, earning a pair of Triple Crown bonuses in the men’s 50 fly and 200 fly. He set a pair of shortly-lived Canadian Records in the 50 free (20.72) and 100 fly (49.00) in Westmont, which were both broken by Liendo one week later in Toronto.
Swimming Canada High Performance Director John Atkinson expressed surprise and disappointment with the news.
“Ilya has been on a journey with us since we welcomed him as part of the national team in 2022,” Atkinson said, according to Devin Heroux of CBC Sports. “He’s a great person and a fantastic athlete. The historic things he has done for Canada in the pool can never be taken away.
“What he has done as part of our national team is part of our history. We wish him all the best and he remains a friend to our national team.”
Currently a junior at Arizona State, Kharun was the runner-up to Liendo in the 100 fly at the 2025 Men’s NCAA Championships while also placing 3rd in the 200 fly and 4th in the 50 free.
The 2024 national champion in the 200 fly, Kharun heads into his third Men’s NCAA Championships in two months. He’ll go head-to-head with his former countryman, Liendo, in the 100 fly, while in the 200 fly, he’ll face his new domestic rival, Luca Urlando—the defending NCAA champion and reigning world champion.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Olympic Medalist Ilya Kharun Announces Move From Canada To Represent U.S. Internationally
Hence then, the article about olympic medalist ilya kharun announces move from canada to represent u s internationally was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Olympic Medalist Ilya Kharun Announces Move From Canada To Represent U.S. Internationally )
Also on site :
- Injury-free Tilak Varma won’t miss T20 World Cup 2026 but Shreyas Iyer continues as cover in IND vs NZ T20Is
- Transfer news live: Liverpool block Robertson move, Man City monitor Alexander-Arnold, Chelsea battle Man United for French striker
- Seattle Seahawks outlast Los Angeles Rams in thriller to set up Super Bowl against New England Patriots