Ilya Kharun has snapped an Olympic drought for Canadian male swimmers.
Kharun became the first Canadian man to win an Olympic swimming medal since 2012 when he captured bronze in the 200-metre butterfly Wednesday at Paris 2024.
Leon Marchand of France rallied in the last 50 metres to win his second gold at the meet in an Olympic-record one minute, 51.21 seconds. Hungary’s Kristof Milak was second in 1:51.75 and Kharun set a Canadian-record time in third at 1:52.80.
It is the seventh medal at the Olympics for Canada (two gold, two silver, three bronze).
The Montreal-born Kharun, 19, posted the third-fastest time in the semifinals.
The Canadian men didn’t win a swimming medal in the past two Olympics and didn’t even qualify for an event final three years ago in Tokyo.
Kharun finished fourth in last year’s world championships in 200-m butterfly.
Kharun was born in Montreal but has spent most of his life in the United States. His parents are performers with Cirque du Soleil, per Devin Heroux of CBC Olympics.
The family moved to Las Vegas around the time Kharun was one.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Summer McIntosh posted the fastest time in the women’s 200-metre butterfly semifinals (2:04.87).
The Toronto teen will go for her third medal and second gold at Paris 2024 on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT.
McIntosh has won this event at the past two world championships.
Canadian swimmer Ilya Kharun made his mark at the Tokyo Olympics by winning a bronze medal in the 200m butterfly event. The 22-year-old from Toronto put on a stellar performance, finishing with a time of 1:53.76 to secure his spot on the podium.
Kharun’s journey to Olympic success has been a long and challenging one. He began swimming at a young age and quickly showed promise in the sport. Over the years, he has dedicated countless hours to training and perfecting his technique, all in pursuit of his Olympic dream.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Kharun faced tough competition from some of the world’s best swimmers. But he remained focused and determined, pushing himself to the limit in every race. In the 200m butterfly final, he displayed incredible speed and stamina, powering through the water with precision and skill.
Kharun’s bronze medal win is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is a moment of triumph not only for him but also for his coaches, teammates, and supporters who have stood by him every step of the way. As he stands on the podium, with the Canadian flag draped over his shoulders, Kharun can be proud of all that he has accomplished.
This bronze medal win is just the beginning for Ilya Kharun. With his talent and determination, he has the potential to achieve even greater success in the future. Canadian swimming fans can look forward to watching him continue to make waves in the pool and inspire others with his incredible performances.