Ilya Kharun Says He’s Coming for Leon Marchand in the 200 Fly After Trials Win

2024 CANADIAN OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC TRIALS

After securing his spot on the Canadian Olympic Team on Friday evening in Toronto, 19-year-old Ilya Kharun was oozing with confidence in the Pan Am Sports Centre.

The CBC’s lead Olympic correspondent Devin Heroux asked Kharun how much more Canadians can expect from him in the 200 fly in Paris.

His answer: “A lot more. I’m going for top three. And more. To beat Leon Marchand. I’m coming.”

Kharun, who grew up and trains in the United States, finished in 1:54.41, which is about six-tenths shy of his Canadian Record of 1:53.82 done at last year’s World Championships.

Kharun finished tied-for-4th in the 200 fly at those World Championships at just 18-years old. In his comments, Kharun mentions French swimmer Leon Marchand, who won the 2023 World Championship in 1:52.43 – 1.4 seconds ahead of Kharun. Marchand also won titles in the 200 IM and 400 IM at that meet, including breaking Michael Phelps’ last remaining World Record in the latter race.

Marchand and Kharun were teammates at Arizona State last year as part of the program’s first-ever NCAA team title. Marchand turned pro at the conclusion of the season and is expected to follow coach Bob Bowman to Austin while Kharun did not enter the NCAA Transfer Portal and appears to be staying at Arizona State.

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John26
29 days ago

Didn’t they train together til recently? Seems like he should know approx how they stack up

Owlmando
29 days ago

Talking big game, I am HERE for it!!

Also, olympci

Andrew
29 days ago

Chuppy will cook him

Chlorinetherapy
29 days ago

Milak – “hold my Unicum”…..

Last edited 29 days ago by Chlorinetherapy
Facts
29 days ago

Bob Bowman showing this to Marchand first thing in the morning tmrow just like how he showed Phelps the Cavic beating Phelps statements

HeGetsItDoneAgain
29 days ago

Big dawg there’s a kid 2 years younger than you that’s as fast as you lmao

Irrelevant swim production
Reply to  HeGetsItDoneAgain
29 days ago

Idk why everybody downvoting completely true lmao

saltie
29 days ago

Bro only mentioned Marchand cuz he knows Milak could swim a faster 2 fly in his sleep wearing drag sox.

Medals:
Milak
Marchand
Heilman

yamatake
Reply to  saltie
29 days ago

Chmielewski and Honda also have something to say.

Last edited 29 days ago by yamatake
Justin Michael Sabourin
Reply to  saltie
27 days ago

The fact people give Milak a chance and the dudes not even training. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t show up to the olympics.

ddd
29 days ago

He needs to look at Honda before he looks at Marchand.
He is the most consistent 200m butterfly player if you exclude Milak.

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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