USA Men Miss The Podium In 200 Backstroke For The First Time Since 1992

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

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

  1. Hubert Kos (HUN) – 1:54.26
  2. Apostolos Christou (GRE) – 1:54.82
  3. Roman Mityukov (SUI) – 1:54.85
  4. Mewen Tomac (FRA) – 1:55.38
  5. Keaton Jones (USA) – 1:55.39
  6. Hugo Gonzalez (ESP) – 1:55.47
  7. Pieter Coetze (RSA) – 1:55.60
  8. 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
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)

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dontbeasucker
51 minutes ago

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 »

Here Comes Lezak
1 hour ago

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.

I miss the ISL (go dawgs)
1 hour ago

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.

Caleb
2 hours ago

Not great from Casas but I think he made it.

YGBSM
2 hours ago

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?

Lpman
2 hours ago

The dude got 5th at the Olympics while most of us sit on the couch eating Doritos. Let’s give him a break.

Former Big10
2 hours ago

Just a poor showing, overall, from the USA Men’s team.

Andrew
2 hours ago

Cal fans were talking about a podium sweep with Murphy/Keaton/Hugo

LMAOOOO

Justin Pollard
Reply to  Andrew
2 hours ago

Very few, if anyone, was thinking that or talking about that.

Justin Pollard
Reply to  Andrew
2 hours ago

Congratulations on your success, Andrew!

Justin Pollard
Reply to  Andrew
2 hours ago

The schadenfreude is strong with you.

Jabwow
Reply to  Justin Pollard
1 hour ago

Lmao I wonder who disliked the comment

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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