Michael Andrew’s 200IM: Who Else Has Gone Out Under WR Pace But Missed it?

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

Michael Andrew has been under World Record pace for three-fourths of the 200 IM twice now at the 2021 U.S.Olympic Trials Wave II. But his closing speed on the freestyle left him 1.26 seconds off the record in the semifinals Thursday night.

He took out the race in 23.9. It is rare to break 24.0 on the butterfly leg; Ryan Lochte‘s World Record swim at the 2011 World Championships started off with a 24.89. Andrew also beat Lochte’s breaststroke split by .82. Their backstroke splits are not too far off, with Lochte ahead by.60. 

The biggest difference between their race splits? Lochte closed the race in under 28 seconds, at 27.49.  Andrew finished in 29.96.

Michael Andrew 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Splits Comparison

MICHAEL ANDREW – 2021 US OLYMPIC TRIALS SEMI-FINALS MICHAEL ANDREW – 2021 US OLYMPIC TRIALS PRELIMS RYAN LOCHTE – 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (CURRENT WR)
1st 50 23.9 24.13 24.89
2nd 50 29.19 29.52 28.59
3rd 50 32.21 32.76 33.03
4th 50 29.96 29.84 27.49
Final Time 1:55.26 1:56.25 1:54.00

Watch Lochte’s World Record-setting approach here:

Ryan Lochte – 2011 World Championships

The most memorable case where someone went out ahead of the World Record pace but missed it in recent history was the men’s 200 IM final at the 2016 Olympic Games. Brazil’s Thiago Pereira was first at the 50-meter mark, ahead of gold medalist Michael Phelps. He remained in medal contention and below Lochte’s World Record pace through the 100-meter mark.

Pereira was still challenging World Record pace until he fell off on the breaststroke and freestyle. He split a 30.65 on the 50 freestyle compared to the World Record split of 27.49. You can watch the race video here.

Thiago Periera 2016 Olympics Splits Comparison

Thiago Pereira (2016 Olympics Final) Michael Phelps (2016 Olympics Final Champion) Ryan Lochte– 2011 World Championships (current WR)
1st 50 24.74 24.91 24.89
2nd 50 28.71 28.54 28.59
3rd 50 33.92 33.51 33.03
4th 50 30.65 27.7 27.49
Final Time 1:58.02 1:54.66 1:54.00

 

Andrew, unlike Pereira, had a solid breaststroke split that was .8 faster than Lochte’s World Record pace. Andrew will race the event in the finals tonight, which start at 8 pm U.S. Central Time.

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Raoul Duke
2 years ago

This guy has spectacular strokes all around, including free. Is his “Special Sauce” top-speed training from his dad to blame? Seems to me he wasn’t sandbagging the free at the end–he truly was gassed.

G L
2 years ago

Love to see a new legend break the 1:54.00 mkt , but 2.5 seconds slower in the final 50 metres free, a wiiiide gap, no matter what the 3 earlier splits are ..

Phelps Phan
2 years ago

We have another “Michael” and “Ryan” in swimming, this time it’s Michael Andrew and Ryan Murphy!

They’ve replaced the namesakes Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte!

Krke
2 years ago

What I see is MA using his sprint technique on the las leg of 200 IM. If he could focus on developing a better gliding technique for the 200 maybe then he could shave of 1sec max

Eric the Eel > Michael Phelps
2 years ago

MP should give some advice for Andrew on that last 50

Spectatorn
2 years ago

Question: can one break 50 fly WR in 200 IM. I mean, if one does, is that official?

Last edited 2 years ago by Spectatorn
fly fly
Reply to  Spectatorn
2 years ago

I think one can and it will be official, because both the start and the finish are the same. Just like Ryan Murphy WR that was made in medley relay.

Eric the Eel > Michael Phelps
Reply to  Spectatorn
2 years ago

In europe and Australia, you can even try to qualify for the 100 free by blasting the first 100 of a 200 for example so yeah

Ghost
2 years ago

Not in IM but almost every 200 breastroker is out faster than Anton! But others are learning….see Zac! And Fink was good too last 50

fly fly
2 years ago

I don’t think he’s going for WR today. By no means he won’t get it some time later. But one step at a time. I think his focus today is on touching first. His race strategy is clearly winning focused, to extend the gap in the first 150 to virtually end the game at the beginning of free split. And I hope that he can keep his free at 30 max.

About Annika Johnson

Annika Johnson

Annika came into the sport competitively at age eight, following in the footsteps of her twin sister and older brother. The sibling rivalry was further fueled when all three began focusing on distance freestyle, forcing the family to buy two lap counters. Annika is a three-time Futures finalist in the 200 …

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