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| National team |
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| Born | (2005-02-07)February 7, 2005 (age 21) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Butterfly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Sandpipers of Nevada[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Arizona State Sun Devils | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coach | Herbie Behm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Ilya Kharun (born February 7, 2005) is a Canadian and American competitiveswimmer who specializes in thebutterfly. He won bronze medals in the 100 m and 200 m butterfly at the2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, improving his Canadiannational record in the process.
Kharun was born inMontreal in 2005 as hisUkrainian parents were acrobats who performed there inCirque du Soleil.[1][2] The family would eventually move toLas Vegas where they would continue their entertainment careers with Cirque du Soleil.[1] 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.[1][3]
Kharun made his international debut forCanada at the2022 World Short Course championships.[4] Kharun won two medals at the event, set twoWorld Junior records and threeCanadian records.[1]
At the2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Kharun won bronze medals in both the100m and200m 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.[5] UnderWorld Aquatics rules, Kharun will not be able to represent the United States until one year after his release fromSwimming Canada, enough time to qualify for the2028 Summer Olympics.[6]
| Event | Time[7] | Venue | Date | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m butterfly | 22.68 | 2025 Canadian Swimming Trials | June 12, 2025 | NR | |
| 100 m butterfly | 50.07 | 2025 World Aquatics Championships | August 2, 2025 | ||
| 200 m butterfly | 1:52.80 | Paris,France | July 31, 2024 | NR |
| Event | Time[7] | Venue | Date | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m butterfly | 21.67 | Danube Arena,Budapest | December 11, 2024 | NR,AM | |
| 100 m butterfly | 48.35 | Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre,Toronto | October 23, 2025 | ||
| 200 m butterfly | 1:48.24 | Danube Arena,Budapest | December 12, 2024 | NR,AM,CR |
