After winning two medals for Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, swimmer Ilya Kharun will be competing under a different flag going forward: The Stars and Stripes.
The 20-year-old Kharun, who was born in Montreal but raised in Las Vegas, made the announcement on Instagram on Monday morning, thanking Swimming Canada, his teammates and fans for their support.
“Hey everyone, I’ve got big news. I’m changing my international representation from Canada to USA,” wrote in a post on Instagram with a picture of himself competing while wearing a swim cap featuring the Olympic rings and Canadian maple leaf.
“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.”
However, despite the kind words, Kharun added that he has “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,” he wrote.
What did Swimming Canada say?
In a statement released on Monday morning, Swimming Canada thanked Kharun and wished him luck in the future.
“Ilya has been on a journey with us since we welcomed him as part of the national team in 2022,” Canada’s high performance director and national coach John Atkinson said in a statement. “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.”
What medals has Kharun won?
Kharun has represented Canada since 2022, but currently competes for the swim team at Arizona State University.
He captured bronze medals in the 100-metre and 200-m butterfly at the Paris Games, making him the first Canadian man to earn two medals at a single Games since Curtis Myden in 1996 during the Games in Atlanta.
Kharun also became the first Canadian to capture a World Cup triple crown, winning the 200-metre butterfly at all three 2025 stops.