{"id":635901,"date":"2026-01-26T09:19:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T16:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=635901"},"modified":"2026-01-27T21:26:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T04:26:05","slug":"ilya-kharun-announces-decision-to-shift-from-canada-to-united-states-for-international-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ilya-kharun-announces-decision-to-shift-from-canada-to-united-states-for-international-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Ilya Kharun Announces Decision to Shift from Canada to United States for International Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ilya Kharun Announces Decision to Shift from Canada to United States for International Competition<\/strong><\/p>\n

After years of representing Canada at the international level, including as an Olympic medalist, Ilya Kharun<\/strong> took to social media on Monday to announce that he is changing his international representation to the United States. Kharun revealed the news through his Instagram account, and Swimming Canada followed with a press release not long after that confirmed the news, and wished Kharun the best in the future.<\/p>\n

“Hey everyone, I\u2019ve got big news. I\u2019m changing my international representation from Canada to USA.<\/p>\n

“First off, I\u2019d like to thank everyone in Canada. It\u2019s 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\u2019s been an honor wearing the Maple Leaf flag and everyone in Canada will always have my support.<\/p>\n

“Despite the incredible support I\u2019ve received from Canada, I\u2019ve always felt like an American.<\/p>\n

“I grew up in Las Vegas. I\u2019ve lived in America my whole life. I\u2019ve never represented a club team outside of USA Swimming. I\u2019ve got a long career left as a swimmer and I\u2019d like to be based at home. And that home is in the USA.”<\/p>\n

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View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A post shared by Ilya Kharun (@ilya_kharun)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n