“I’m still young, we’ll definitely get it next time,” Ilya Kharun had aspired in 2024. While he managed to win the men’s 200m butterfly bronze then, the Olympic record remained out of his reach. Now, the next time he gives it a shot at the LA Olympics, the home boy will be representing a different flag!

Ilya Kharun proudly represented Canada for 3.5 years, winning medals for the nation at several international events. Including the Paris Olympics bronze medals and the Singapore World Championships one too. Recently, however, Kharun has decided to switch his international representation.

On January 26, Kharun announced, “Hey everyone, I’ve got big news. I’m changing my international representation from Canada to USA,” the Olympic medalist said in a lengthy Instagram post. Wondering the reason?

Having grown up in LA, Kharun feels a strong connection to the U.S, “Despite the incredible support I’ve received from Canada, I’ve always felt like an American,” he added. “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.”

There’s also quite a backstory to his citizenship.

In 2022, Ilya Kharun was removed from the US junior national team roster for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in August and the Open Water World Junior Championships in September. At that time, it was discovered that he only held a Canadian passport.

However, things have changed since. Kharun holds a dual citizenship now, having obtained his American one in April 2024. And as he makes this change, he holds no hard feelings against Canada.

Well, the Canadian team appears to hold mutual feelings.

Following his official announcement, National Coach John Atkinson said, “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.”

Swimming Canada also announced on  X, “Swimming Canada is aware of Ilya Kharun’s intent to change nationalities and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

Yet, as per World Aquatics’ rules, the 20-year-old swimmer now has to wait for a year to compete in events for Team USA, which ends in October 2026. Clearly, he will be perfectly ready before the upcoming LA Olympics.

Well, like Kharun, there are more athletes who have changed their international representation to the US.

Ilya Kharun isn’t alone in switching allegiance

Switching nationalities isn’t an easy decision; it requires the athletes to make a tough call. And in swimming, there have been many who have sought to compete for Team USA, like Ilya Kharun.

Olympic gold medalist Darian Townsend, who competed for South Africa, became a US citizen after nearly a decade of living in the country, allowing him to secure a spot on the highly competitive American team. Representing Team USA, he went on to secure five World Championship medals (2 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze), and two Pan American Games medals (1 silver and 1 bronze).

Top Stories

Prayers Pour In as Cowboys Legend Scott Laidlaw Passes Away at 72

Natural Disaster Strikes San Francisco Just Hours After Sam Darnold, Drake Maye & Co. Arrives for Super Bowl LX

Amid Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Struggle, Saints QB Officially Announces Signing For Chiefs

Fans Left Baffled as Brad Keselowski Faces NASCAR License Issue Days Before Daytona 500 Race

Sean McVay Shares Update on Matthew Stafford’s Retirement After Sending Message to Rams QB

NFL Launches Investigation on Giants Owner Mentioned In Epstein Files Amid Russell Wilson Links

“It doesn’t feel weird anymore. Once I started calling South Africa a place to visit and started calling the U.S. home, I knew it was the right choice,” Townsend said, when he finally became a US citizen in 2014.

Similarly, Russian backstroke legend Arkady Vyatchanin sought US citizenship following various complications. In 2017, he was able to get citizenship, only a year later, Vyatchanin decided to retire.

These transitions show nothing but the athletes wanting to keep competing for the nation they feel a strong connection to. And Ilya Kharun is set to do so starting October 2026!