Canadian swimmer Ilya Kharun, son of Cirque du Soleil acrobats, turning heads at national trials

Canadian swimmer Ilya Kharun knows a thing or two about stepping into the spotlight and stealing the show.

The 18-year-old who was born in Montreal but has spent the majority of his life living in the United States is the son of two parents who spent most of their lives performing with Cirque du Soleil. 

"My family was travelling around the world and I just happened to be born in Montreal," he told CBC Sports at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre during national trials this week.

"My parents were always performers. Now they're retired. I was always part of the experience. My family were acrobats. Both my mom and dad were in the show."

Kharun only spent the first few months of his life in Montreal with his travelling acrobat parents before moving to Las Vegas. 

That's where he's lived since he was about one years old. 

"My mom put me in swimming at a young age. I was like four years old. I just went from there," Kharun said. 

He's been a long-time member of the Sandpipers program in Nevada and less than a year ago was on the path to compete for the United States at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii last August. 

But here's the thing — Kharun had a Canadian passport and not an American passport. His swimming path took an unexpected turn in a hurry. 

"It happened really quick. I was like, alright, I'm a Canadian now," he said. 

America's loss has been Canada's gain and Kharun says he's feeling right where he belongs wearing the maple leaf. 

This week at the national swim trials Kharun has been once again turning heads at the pool. On Friday night he nearly broke his national record in the 200-metre fly. Earlier in the week he posted a personal-best time in the 100m fly. He'll be representing Canada at worlds in