“Shining Stars: Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun Illuminate the Path for Canada’s Men’s Program Surge”

Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun Illuminating the Path for Surge by Canadian Men’s Program

The accomplishments of Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun in Paris last summer—claiming three Olympic medals collectively—marked a significant milestone for a Canadian men’s program that has remained inactive at the upper echelons of international competitions for a lengthy period.

By the time the second Saturday (Aug. 3) of the Paris Olympics arrived, Canadian allies Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun recognized the potential that lay ahead.

Kharun had already ascended the Olympic podium to secure a bronze medal in the 200 butterfly, finishing behind his ASU college companion Leon Marchand. Liendo had yet to land a medal, but was performing admirably, narrowly missing bronze in the 50 free by merely 2-hundredths of a second, finishing fourth.

This contributed to an atmosphere of hope—of optimal performance, of favorable circumstances, and perhaps, just perhaps, of groundbreaking history. It was significant enough for Kharun to articulate it, even prior to Liendo’s 50 free: “Josh and I spoke a couple of days ago about how insane it would be if we both made it to the podium (in the 100 butterfly),” Kharun shared in Paris. “I’m thrilled we turned that into reality. It’s such a fantastic feeling. I wondered what if we both get on this podium? It’d be wild because it’s never happened before.”

The pair would indeed make history at the Paris La Défense Arena, with Liendo securing silver behind Hungary’s Kristof Milak, and Kharun following up with his second bronze. Their experiences reveal numerous contrasts—from their strategies in the event to the routes taken to represent Canada. However, their varied paths indicate a promising future for the sluggish Canadian male swimming program.

DIFFERENT PATHS TO THE PODIUM

The trio of medals attained by Liendo and Kharun in Paris last summer equaled Canada’s total from swimming events across the last five Olympics combined, with Ryan Cochrane’s medals in the 1500 free in 2008 and 2012 complementing Brent Hayden’s 100 free bronze in London. (Richard Weinberger also garnered bronze in the men’s 10K open water marathon during London.)

The last time Canada claimed more than two pool medals at the same Olympic Games was 40 years ago at the Eastern bloc-boycotted 1984 Olympics. Liendo’s silver medal matches Cochrane’s silver in 2012 as the most prestigious male medal since Mark Tewksbury earned the last Canadian gold medal (100 backstroke in 1992). Kharun is the first Canadian male since IMer Curtis Myden in 1996 to exit an Olympics with two medals. This marks the second occurrence where two Canadians have medaled in the same swimming event, alongside Cheryl Gibson and Becky Smith in the women’s 400 IM in Montreal in 1976.

The routes taken by Liendo and Kharun to Paris showcase as much variability as the technique that earned them their accolades. Both are offspring of immigrants: Liendo was born in Toronto to Trinidadian expatriates, while Kharun was born in Montreal to touring Ukrainian circus performers. Both achieved Olympic success through remarkable performances in NCAA swimming, Liendo at the University of Florida and Kharun at Arizona State.

Nevertheless, their contrasts are significant. Liendo was nurtured within the core of Swimming Canada’s framework, recognized as a teenager at North York Aquatic Club and integrated into the High Performance Centre in Ontario. Kharun, on the other hand, famously did not realize he was Canadian until he reached the echelon of international competition, being selected for Team USA for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in 2022 before being withdrawn and completing a transfer to Canada, the country of his sole citizenship. He represents a stroke of luck for the Canadian program, having been brought up in Las Vegas and trained at Sandpipers of Nevada. While this pathway may not be easily replicated with consistency for Swimming Canada, it exemplifies the inclusiveness that a multicultural nation, rich in cosmopolitan urban centers, can provide.

Furthermore, their techniques within the pool are distinct as well. Kharun is a specialist in butterfly, particularly excelling in the 200 event. He has developed his speed in Tempe, collaborating with prominent sprint coach Herbie Behm to become a more adaptable competitor across all distances. To label Liendo a mere sprinter would undermine the technical skill and grace of his butterfly. Yet, he is more comfortable over shorter distances, and his Olympic schedule featured the 50 and 100 free.

ON THE LEADING EDGE

Liendo has consistently been the emblematic figure for the men’s program, a peculiar statement for someone who turned 22 shortly after the Olympics and is only in the midst of his collegiate journey. A medallist at the World Junior Championships in 2019, his defining year was 2022. He concluded 2021 with bronze medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle at the World Short Course Championships, followed by bronze in the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly in Budapest at Long Course Worlds. Additionally, he captured the Commonwealth Games title in the 100 butterfly that summer.

The Tokyo Olympics marked a moment of significant symbolism for Canada’s male swimming program. It showcased Liendo, born in 2002, alongside Brent Hayden, who competed at the Commonwealths and the Pan Pacific Championships in 2002, on the same medley relay that placed fourth, establishing a Canadian record.

Hayden, who returned from retirement at 37 years of age, recognized at that moment that he was handing the responsibility to Liendo to steer the program. Liendo has embraced this role not only through his velocity in the water but also with a composure and maturity that surpass his age out of it. (One instance from Paris: The finals of the 50 freestyle and semifinals of the 100 butterfly occurred on the same day, prompting Frenchman Maxime Grousset to withdraw from the former, offering Liendo, who finished ninth in the semifinals, the chance to jump into the final. He accepted—with his remark: “It’s an Olympic final, ‘Why not?’”—and almost captured a medal.)

Part of this is attributed to being a pioneer, the first Black Canadian swimmer to secure an Olympic medal. He trains in Florida under Anthony Nesty, the Surinamese Olympic gold medallist who in Paris became the first Black coach to lead the U.S. swim team. His awareness of his role and the acceptance of the spotlight that accompanies it motivate him to ensure that future generations have a route to reach his current position.

“From my perspective and Ilya’s, with me being the first Black Canadian (swimmer) to earn an Olympic medal, I feel like it serves as encouragement for the rest of the nation and those coming up,” Liendo expressed to Swimming Canada when awarded its Male Swimmer of the Year for the third consecutive time. “Hopefully, we can inspire the next generation and maintain this enthusiasm for the sport in Canada. I believe swimming has vast potential for growth and ought to be a more prominent sport in the country.”

BRIGHTER FUTURES

This vision extends beyond Liendo and Kharun. The Canadian women have been global contenders for the last three Olympic cycles—from Penny Oleksiak’s gold in Rio, leading her to become Canada’s most decorated Olympian, to World and Olympic titles for Maggie MacNeil and Kylie Masse, and the rise of Summer McIntosh as a true teenage sensation.

Advancement on the men’s front is more incremental, yet consistent. The Olympic summer produced national records for Liendo, Kharun, Finlay Knox, and Blake Tierney. Knox became a world champion in the 200 individual medley in Doha and is still only 23 years old. Tierney is 22. Liendo leads a five-member group in Gainesville, which also features double Junior Pan Pacs gold medallist Aiden Norman. National team member Filip Senc-Samardzic is in Tempe with Kharun.

Promising times lie ahead for the Canadian men, with Liendo and Kharun blazing the trail.

“It’s a significant momentum shift on the men’s side,” Liendo noted regarding the Paris 100 butterfly. “It’s genuinely thrilling. I believe we undeniably made a substantial statement there.”