Canadian Olympic medalist intends to change to US group

The world will likely be watching the U.S. and Canada rivalry on the ice and in different sporting occasions when the highest athletes hit Milan Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The warmth round Summer Olympics athletes was simply heating up as a two-time Canadian medalist determined to change from Team Canada to Team USA on Monday.

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Josh Liendo (Canada), left, Kristof Milak (Hungary) and Ilya Kharun (Canada) within the males’s 100-meter butterfly medal ceremony in the course of the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena on Aug. 3, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports)

Ilya Kharun, an Olympic swimmer who was born in Montreal and received two bronze medals within the 2024 Paris Games, introduced he was becoming a member of the U.S. He thanked Swimming Canada in a put up on Instagram.

“John Atkinson and everyone representing Swim Canada, thank you. I would not be the swimmer or person am today without your support,” he captioned the put up. “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’s been an honor wearing the Maple Leaf flag and everyone in Canada will always have my support.”

Kharun stated he “always felt like an American” regardless of the immense assist from Canada.

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Canada’s Ilya Kharun competes within the 400 meter particular person medley in the course of the FINA Swimming World Cup prelims on Saturday, Nov 5, 2022, at Indiana University Natatorium. (Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Sports)

“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,” he added. “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.”

Kharun moved to Las Vegas when he was younger as his dad and mom, who had been Ukrainian acrobats, continued their careers with Cirque du Soleil.

The 20-year-old butterfly swimmer took house two bronze medals in Paris after successful a gold within the 2024 world championships in Budapest. He additionally received a bronze medal final 12 months in Singapore.

Kharun must wait a 12 months earlier than he can formally compete underneath the U.S. flag as he must be launched from Swimming Canada. He ought to have sufficient time to aim to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Ilya Kharun of Team Canada is seen on the rostrum after successful bronze within the Men’s 100m Butterfly on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on Aug. 3, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Atkinson, the excessive efficiency director and nationwide coach of Swimming Canada, told CBC he was dissatisfied with Kharun’s resolution. But he wished him the most effective on his subsequent endeavor.

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