Ilya Kharun
Ilya Kharun is a Canadian and American competitive swimmer who specializes in the butterfly. He won bronze medals in the 100 m and 200 m butterfly at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, improving his Canadian national record in the process.
Early life
Kharun was born in Montreal in 2005 as his Ukrainian parents were acrobats who performed there in Cirque du Soleil. The family would eventually move to Las Vegas where they would continue their entertainment careers with Cirque du Soleil. The family thought he would be eligible to compete for the United States in swimming, but as he only held a Canadian passport it was determined that he would have to compete for the nation where he was born.Career
Kharun made his international debut for Canada at the 2022 World Short Course championships. Kharun won two medals at the event, set two World Junior records and three Canadian records.At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Kharun won bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m butterfly.
On January 26, 2026, Kharun announced on Instagram he would be switching national allegiances and begin competing for the United States where he studies. Under World Aquatics rules, Kharun will not be able to represent the United States until one year after his release from Swimming Canada, enough time to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics.