2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
- La Défense Arena — Paris, France
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Full Swimming Schedule
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Pick ’em Contest
- How To Watch
- Entry Lists
- Live Results
- Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6
- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE –FINALS
- World Record: 1:51.92 – Aaron Peirsol, USA (2009)
- World Junior Record: 1:55.14 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2017)
- Olympic Record: 1:53.27 – Evgeny Rylov, ROC (2021)
- 2021 Winning Time: 1:53.27 – Evgeny Rylov, ROC
- 2021 Time to Win Bronze: 1:54.72
Podium
- Hubert Kos (HUN) – 1:54.26
- Apostolos Christou (GRE) – 1:54.82
- Roman Mityukov (SUI) – 1:54.85
- Mewen Tomac (FRA) – 1:55.38
- Keaton Jones (USA) – 1:55.39
- Hugo Gonzalez (ESP) – 1:55.47
- Pieter Coetze (RSA) – 1:55.60
- Lukas Martens (GER) – 1:55.97
The USA men have been dominant in the 200 backstroke over the last 30 years. Today, the podium was absent of a US man in the event, marking the first time that the US will not be on the podium since 1992.
Keaton Jones was the highest finisher for the US in the event tonight, finishing 5th in a 1:55.39. His best time of a 1:54.61 that he swam at US Olympic Trials last month would have notably won silver if replicated today. Notably, Jones was not even born until October 2004.
Ryan Murphy also competed in the event for the US but missed the final finishing 10th last night with a 1:56.62. It took a 1:56.52 to make the final. Murphy also was looking to become the first man to go back to back to back in both backstroke events, but came up one medal short. Like Jones, Murphy’s season best of a 1:54.33 would also have won silver tonight.
United States of Backstroke History- Men’s 200 Backstroke
| Medalists | |
| 2024 | None |
| 2020 |
Ryan Murphy (silver)
|
| 2016 |
Ryan Murphy (gold)
|
| 2012 |
Tyler Clary (gold), Ryan Lochte (bronze)
|
| 2008 |
Ryan Lochte (gold), Aaron Piersol (silver)
|
| 2004 |
Aaron Piersol (gold)
|
| 2000 |
Lenny Krayzelburg (gold), Aaron Piersol (silver)
|
| 1996 |
Brad Bridgewater (gold), Tripp Schwenk (silver)
|
Sad Jack Aikins time from trials would have been SILVER
I love Ryan Murphy and our other vets on the team, but it’s time for a MAJOR upheaval in USA Swimming. It is being run by people that aren’t winners and have no clue about how to win or develop the organization depth we need to be the best in the world. I wouldn’t trust most of the USA Swimming board members and executive staff to run our local summer swim and tennis club. Clubs, coaches and athletes aren’t being properly developed and there was too much reliance on college coaches and veteran swimmers. It might be too late. Chuck Wiegus and his enablers had the morals of a snake, but this current group of “bluecoats” are just plain clueless… Read more »
Historically, most of the swimmers have come from the NCAA. How would you change it so that the depth is greater? The US is super deep in many events, but not the best in the world (women’s backstroke, women’s 100 fly, men’s 100, women’s 200 breast, women’s 200 IM, and men’s 50).
I don’t think Ryan cruised it too hard, I think he died because he couldn’t rip the full last 100. He also died in the last 15m of the 100 back where he usually seems to surge. That’s an issue with endurance, which can be from a missed taper or a cardio issue like being sick.
Ryan’s confidence got the better of him, and he let both himself and Team USA down.
Does not distract at all from his legacy, however. He has done a lot for us.
Not great from Casas but I think he made it.
Hoping USA Swimming will take another look at team selection methodology. There’s no easy answer, but let’s face it, with the US Trials meet being so difficult to make the team, it leaves most athletes no choice but to fully taper and go for it. Too many great swims at Indy vs. Games.
Are the Trials too close to the Games? (rather than more time to train again)
Should a Trials meet even be used? (rather than event rankings)
Many countries with different selection methodologies are “popping” at the right time – the Games. Why not the US?
I’d say follow the British model and have trials in April. Have NCAA champs in an earlier month in the Olympic year like Jan or Feb
The NCAA would not go for that.
The dude got 5th at the Olympics while most of us sit on the couch eating Doritos. Let’s give him a break.
Just a poor showing, overall, from the USA Men’s team.