Canada’s Ilya Kharun Claims Bronze in Men’s 200m Butterfly at Paris Olympics

Two Ukrainian acrobats from Cirque du Soleil raised their son in Las Vegas, but little did they know he would one day win an Olympic medal for Canada.

That’s exactly what Ilya Kharun achieved on Wednesday night at La Defense Arena in Paris, securing the bronze in the men’s 200m butterfly.

Kharun’s win marked Canada’s third medal in the pool, with his former teammate Leon Marchand also making history with a double victory.

Even though Kharun was breaking records in the U.S., he carried a Canadian passport due to his birth in Montreal. The 19-year-old attributed his success to “hard work and determination.”

“It means a lot to me. I’m really pleased to have reached this milestone and I’m eager to continue proving myself. There’s still more to improve on, but I’m grateful for the bronze,” Kharun shared with reporters.

“I’ve always had my eyes set on the podium from the start. That’s been my driving force. My advice to everyone is to define your goals and keep pushing forward.”

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Kharun’s parents toured with a circus that visited various countries, and they happened to be in Montreal when he was born. They introduced him to sports at an early age.

“My dad performed in a duo or trio, lifting people. My mom was part of it too, at the top because she was lighter,” he recalled.

“They tried different sports with me, but in Las Vegas, it was too expensive. That’s how I ended up in swimming,” Kharun explained.

In May, Kharun had vowed to challenge Marchand, but it was the Frenchman who set an Olympic record and beat him by 1.59 seconds.

“I knew he was dedicated and talented,” Kharun acknowledged. “But I’m young, and we’ll definitely compete again.”