Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m

This is a history of the progression of the world record for the 200-meter

backstroke Backstroke or back crawl is one of the four swimming styles used in competitive events regulated by FINA, and the only one of these styles swum on the back. This swimming style has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimm ...

event. It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both

long course An Olympic-size swimming pool conforms to regulated dimensions that are large enough for international competition. This type of swimming pool is used in the Olympic Games, where the race course is in length, typically referred to as "long cour ...

(50-meter) and

short course In swimming, the term short course (abbreviated SC) is used to identify a pool that is in length. The term is also often included in meet names when conducted in a short course pool. "Short course" is the second type of pool configuration current ...

(25-meter) swimming pools. These records are maintained/recognized by

FINA FINA (french: Fédération internationale de natation, en, International Swimming Federation, link=yes) (to be renamed as World Aquatics by ) is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administer ...

, which oversees international competitive swimming and aquatics. The long course records are historically older than the short course records; the latter having only been recognized since the early 1990s.

Men

Long course

Old regulations

New regulations

Short course

Women

Long course

Old Regulations

New Regulations

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:55.54: *

Ryosuke Irie is a Japanese competitive swimmer who competes in backstroke events. He is a Kindai University student in Osaka. He won a silver medal in the 200 metre backstroke and a bronze in the 100 metre backstroke at the 2012 Summer Olympics, along wit ...

also swam 1:52.86 (2009), 1:53.26 (2014), 1:53.78 (2012), 1:53.91 (2014), 1:54.02 (2009, 2012), 1:54.03 (2012), 1:54.08 (2011), 1:54.11 (2011), 1:54.13 (2009), 1:54.14 (2009), 1:54.34 (2011), 1:54.54 (2011), 1:54.55 (2011), 1:54.62 (2011, 2015), 1:54.72 (2013), 1:54.77 (2008), 1:54.80 (2012), 1:54.81 (2014, 2015), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:54.93 (2015), 1:54.97 (2014), 1:55.05 (2012), 1:55.07 (2013), 1:55.10 (2014), 1:55.11 (2010, 2011, 2018), 1:55.12 (2018), 1:55.14 (2014), 1:55.20 (2009), 1:55.21 (2010), 1:55.23 (2015), 1:55.35 (2020), 1:55.36 (2015), 1:55.38 (2015), 1:55.39 (2013), 1:55.45 (2010), 1:55.50 (2013), 1:55.51 (2018), 1:55.52 (2021). *

Aaron Peirsol Aaron Wells Peirsol (born July 23, 1983) is an American former competition swimmer and backstroke specialist who is a former world champion and world record-holder. He is a three-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist (five gold, two si ...

also swam 1:53.08 (2009), 1:54.06 (2009), 1:54.32 (2008), 1:54.33 (2008), 1:54.44 (2006), 1:54.66 (2005), 1:54.74 (2004), 1:54.80 (2007), 1:54.95 (2004), 1:55.14 (2004), 1:55.15 (2002), 1:55.26 (2008). *

Evgeny Rylov Evgeny Mikhailovich Rylov ( rus, Евгений Михайлович Рылов, , ɪ̯ɪvˈɡʲenʲɪɪ̯ ˈrɨɫəf; born 23 September 1996) is a Russian competitive swimmer and Olympic champion specializing in backstroke events. He won three ...

also swam 1:53.27 (2021), 1:53.36 (2018), 1:53.40 (2019), 1:53.61 (2017), 1:53.71 (2018), 1:53.81 (2017), 1:53.97 (2016), 1:54.00 (2019), 1:54.21 (2016), 1:54.45 (2016, 2021), 1:54.46 (2021), 1:54.60 (2015), 1:54.76 (2016), 1:54.96 (2017), 1:55.02 (2016), 1:55.11 (2021), 1:55.34 (2021), 1:55.43 (2016), 1:55.48 (2019), 1:55.50 (2018), 1:55.54 (2015). *

Mitch Larkin Mitchell James Larkin (born 9 July 1993) is an Australian competitive swimmer who specialises in backstroke events. He currently represents the Cali Condors which is part of the International Swimming League. Larkin competed for Australia at th ...

also swam 1:53.34 (2015), 1:53.58 (2015), 1:53.72 (2015), 1:53.80 (2015), 1:53.90 (2016), 1:53.96 (2016), 1:54.29 (2015), 1:54.38 (2021), 1:54.73 (2016), 1:55.03 (2019), 1:55.08 (2016), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.26 (2014), 1:55.27 (2014), 1:55.31 (2016), 1:55.38 (2016), 1:55.40 (2018), 1:55.52 (2015). * Ryan Murphy also swam 1:53.62 (2016), 1:53.95 (2016), 1:54.07 (2018), 1:54.12 (2019), 1:54.15 (2018, 2021), 1:54.20 (2021), 1:54.21 (2017), 1:54.30 (2017), 1:54.52 (2022), 1:54.93 (2017), 1:55.00 (2015), 1:55.01 (2022), 1:55.04 (2016), 1:55.10 (2015), 1:55.15 (2016), 1:55.22 (2020), 1:55.38 (2021), 1:55.43 (2022), 1:55.46 (2018). * Ryan Lochte also swam 1:53.79 (2013), 1:53.82 (2009), 1:53.94 (2008, 2012), 1:54.12 (2010), 1:54.21 (2009), 1:54.32 (2007), 1:54.34 (2008), 1:54.54 (2012), 1:55.16 (2013), 1:55.26 (2010), 1:55.39 (2009), 1:55.40 (2008, 2012). * Xu Jiayu also swam 1:54.03 (2017), 1:54.79 (2016, 2017), 1:55.04 (2017), 1:55.05 (2014), 1:55.11 (2014), 1:55.13 (2015), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.19 (2016), 1:55.20 (2015), 1:55.24 (2019), 1:55.26 (2017, 2020), 1:55.42 (2017), 1:55.43 (2018), 1:55.51 (2016). *

Tyler Clary Tyler may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tyler (name), an English name; with lists of people with the surname or given name * Tyler, the Creator (born 1991), American rap artist and producer * John Tyler, 10th president of the United ...

also swam 1:54.53 (2009), 1:54.64 (2013), 1:54.69 (2011), 1:54.71 (2012), 1:54.73 (2014), 1:54.88 (2012), 1:54.90 (2010), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:55.16 (2013), 1:55.33 (2016). * Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:54.55 (2015), 1:55.28 (2012), 1:55.54 (2015). *

Luke Greenbank Luke Greenbank (born 17 September 1997) is an English professional swimmer who specialises in backstroke. A medalist in the 200 metre backstroke at the Olympic Games and the World and European championships, he also swam the first leg in the 20 ...

also swam 1:54.62 (2021), 1:54.63 (2021), 1:54.67 (2021), 1:54.72 (2021), 1:54.98 (2021), 1:55.16 (2022), 1:55.34 (2021). *

Kosuke Hagino is a Japanese former competitive swimmer who specialized in the individual medley and 200 m freestyle. He is a four-time Olympic medalist, most notably winning gold in the 400 m individual medley at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Hagino holds the ...

also swam 1:54.77 (2014), 1:55.12 (2013), 1:55.43 (2013). *

Jacob Pebley Jacob Pebley (born September 17, 1993) is an American competition swimmer who specializes in the backstroke. He will be representing DC Trident in the International Swimming League during the 2020 season. In college, he was an NCAA runner-up ...

also swam 1:54.78 (2017), 1:54.92 (2016), 1:55.06 (2017), 1:55.18 (2016), 1:55.20 (2017), 1:55.52 (2016). *

Nick Thoman Nicholas Brewer Thoman (born March 6, 1986) is an American competition swimmer who specializes in the backstroke and is an Olympic gold medalist. He has won two world championships as a member of winning United States medley relay teams at the F ...

also swam 1:54.83 (2009). *

Arkady Vyatchanin Arkady Arkadyevich Vyatchanin (russian: Аркадий Аркадьевич Вятча́нин, sr-Cyrl, Аркадиј Аркадјевич Вјатчањин; born 4 April 1984) is a retired Russian, Serbian and American backstroke swimmer. H ...

also swam 1:54.90 (2009), 1:54.93 (2008), 1:55.44 (2006). * Aschwin Wildeboer also swam 1:54.96 (2009). * Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:55.15 (2017), 1:55.49 (2017). * Stanislav Donets also swam 1:55.36 (2009). * Shaine Casas also swam 1:55.46 (2022). *Bryce Mefford also swam 1:55.49 (2021).

Men short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:49.23: *

also swam 1:46.41 (2009), 1:47.66 (2009), 1:48.69 (2009). *

also swam 1:47.02 (2018), 1:47.88 (2021), 1:48.31 (2020), 1:48.62 (2020), 1:48.69 (2020), 1:48.91 (2019), 1:49.22 (2020). *

also swam 1:47.41 (2016), 1:47.72 (2014), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.31 (2016), 1:48.35 (2014), 1:48.51 (2018), 1:48.69 (2014), 1:48.78 (2015), 1:48.81 (2016), 1:49.07 (2018), 1:49.15 (2019). * Ryan Murphy also swam 1:47.41 (2020), 1:47.48 (2020), 1:48.03 (2020), 1:48.10 (2021), 1:48.12 (2021), 1:48.40 (2020), 1:48.43 (2021), 1:48.60 (2020), 1:48.73 (2020), 1:48.81 (2020), 1:48.86 (2012). * Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:47.63 (2013, 2016), 1:47.90 (2020), 1:48.12 (2020), 1:48.20 (2017), 1:48.23 (2020), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.32 (2015), 1:48.33 (2015), 1:48.46 (2017, 2021), 1:48.48 (2012), 1:48.51 (2012, 2020, 2020), 1:48.54 (2013), 1:48.68 (2021), 1:48.79 (2020), 1:48.86 (2020), 1:48.93 (2013), 1:48.96 (2017), 1:49.08 (2016), 1:49.13 (2009), 1:49.15 (2011). *

Markus Rogan Markus Antonius Rogan (born 4 May 1982 in Vienna) is a retired Austrian swimmer, who won two silver medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece and a gold medal for 200 m backstroke at the 2008 World Short Course Championships in ...

also swam 1:47.84 (2008), 1:48.14 (2009). * Ryan Lochte also swam 1:47.91 (2008), 1:48.20 (2014), 1:48.50 (2012), 1:48.90 (2011), 1:49.05 (2006). * George Du Rand also swam 1:48.05 (2009), 1:48.95 (2009). * Shaine Casas also swam 1:48.81 (2021), 1:48.99 (2022). *

Matt Grevers Matthew Grevers (born March 26, 1985) is an American competition swimmer who competes in the backstroke and freestyle events, and is a six-time Olympic medalist. He has won a total of thirty-three medals in major international competition, four ...

also swam 1:48.97 (2015). *

Christian Diener Christian Diener (born 3 June 1993) is a German backstroke swimmer. He is living in Potsdam (Germany). Jörg Hoffmann is his coach. Diener won his first international championship title at European Junior Championships 2010 in 50m backstroke. O ...

also swam 1:49.04 (2021), 1:49.14 (2014). * Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:49.06 (2020). * Masaki Kaneko also swam 1:49.11 (2017), 1:49.18 (2016). *

also swam 1:49.18 (2020). * Stanislav Donets also swam 1:49.22 (2008).

Women long course

*Correct as of June 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:06.82: * Regan Smith also swam 2:03.69 (2019), 2:05.65 (2022), 2:05.94 (2020), 2:06.01 (2019), 2:06.16 (2020), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2018), 2:06.47 (2019), 2:06.79 (2021). *

Kaylee McKeown Kaylee Rochelle McKeown (born 12 July 2001) is an Australian swimmer and triple Olympic gold medalist. She is a world record holder in the long course 100 metre backstroke and the short course 200 metre backstroke.Hanson, Ian (27 November 20 ...

also swam 2:04.31 (2021), 2:04.49 (2020), 2:04.64 (2022), 2:04.68 (2021), 2:05.08 (2022), 2:05.16 (2020), 2:05.31 (2022), 2:05.51 (2021), 2:05.55 (2021), 2:05.60 (2022), 2:05.66 (2021), 2:05.83 (2020), 2:05.85 (2022), 2:06.26 (2019), 2:06.35 (2019), 2:06.38 (2020), 2:06.41 (2022), 2:06.76 (2017). *

Missy Franklin Melissa Franklin Johnson (born May 10, 1995) is an American former competition swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. She formerly held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke (long course). As a member of the U.S. national swim team ...

also swam 2:04.76 (2013), 2:05.10 (2011), 2:05.68 (2013), 2:05.90 (2011), 2:06.12 (2012), 2:06.33 (2013), 2:06.34 (2015), 2:06.46 (2013). * Phoebe Bacon also swam 2:05.12 (2022), 2:05.93 (2022), 2:06.40 (2021), 2:06.46 (2021), 2:06.78 (2022). * Kirsty Coventry also swam 2:05.24 (2008), 2:05.86 (2009), 2:06.39 (2008), 2:06.72 (2009), 2:06.76 (2008). *

Margherita Panziera Margherita Panziera (born 12 August 1995) is an Italian swimmer. She competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in 100 m backstroke and 200 m backstroke. She is also a three-time European Champion in the 200 metre backstroke, winning in 2018, 2021, ...

also swam 2:05.72 (2019), 2:06.08 (2021), 2:06.18 (2018), 2:06.41 (2019), 2:06.59 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.64 (2019), 2:06.67 (2019). * Rhyan White also swam 2:05.73 (2021), 2:06.39 (2021), 2:06.96 (2022). *

Emily Seebohm Emily Jane Seebohm, OAM (born 5 June 1992) is an Australian swimmer and television personality. She has appeared at four Olympic Games between 2008 and 2021; and won three Olympic gold medals, five world championship gold medals and seven Comm ...

also swam 2:05.81 (2015, 2017), 2:06.17 (2021), 2:06.38 (2021), 2:06.56 (2015), 2:06.59 (2016), 2:06.66 (2017), 2:06.69 (2015), 2:06.82 (2018). *

Anastasia Fesikova Anastasia Valeryevna Fesikova (russian: Анастасия Валерьевна Фесикова; born 8 May 1990), née Anastasia Zuyeva, is a Russian Swimming (sport), swimmer who holds the Russian List of Russian records in swimming, national r ...

also swam 2:05.92 (2012), 2:06.59 (2012). *

Kylie Masse Kylie Jacqueline Masse (born January 18, 1996) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. She is a four-time Olympic medallist, having tied for the bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 100 m backstroke and then won silver medals at the ...

also swam 2:05.94 (2019), 2:05.97 (2017), 2:05.98 (2018), 2:06.57 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.67 (2021). *

Katinka Hosszú Katinka Hosszú (; born 3 May 1989) is a Hungarian competitive swimmer specialized in individual medley events. She is a three-time Olympic champion and a nine-time long-course world champion. She is owner of a Budapest based swim school and swi ...

also swam 2:06.03 (2016), 2:06.05 (2016), 2:06.09 (2016), 2:06.18 (2015), 2:06.81 (2015). *

Margaret Hoelzer Margaret Josephine Hoelzer (born March 30, 1983) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic medalist, and former world record-holder. Hoelzer competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2008 Olympic Games. Biography While in Huntsvil ...

also swam 2:06.23 (2008). *

Kathleen Baker Kathleen Baker (born February 28, 1997) is an American competition swimming (sport), swimmer who specializes in freestyle swimming, freestyle and backstroke swimming, backstroke events. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she won a gold medal in the Sw ...

also swam 2:06.38 (2017), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2020), 2:06.48 (2017), 2:06.66 (2017), 2:06.82 (2017). * Elizabeth Beisel also swam 2:06.39 (2009), 2:06.55 (2012). * Belinda Hocking also swam 2:06.40 (2014), 2:06.49 (2016), 2:06.66 (2013), 2:06.68 (2012). *

Taylor Ruck Taylor Madison Ruck (born May 28, 2000) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. She won two Olympic bronze medals as part of Canada's women's 4×100 metre and 4×200 metre freestyle relay teams at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Ruck wo ...

also swam 2:06.41 (2018), 2:06.42 (2018), 2:06.70 (2019).

Women short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:01.67: *

Minna Atherton Minna Atherton (born 17 May 2000) is an Australian competitive swimmer who won the gold medals in the 100- and 200-metre backstroke events at the 2015 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Singapore. She tied the junior world record (hel ...

also swam 1:59.48 (2019), 2:00.58 (2019), 2:01.59 (2019). *

also swam 1:59.48 (2022). *

also swam 1:59.75 (2015), 1:59.84 (2015), 1:59.95 (2015), 2:00.05 (2017), 2:00.18 (2017), 2:00.37 (2017), 2:00.52 (2016), 2:00.53 (2017), 2:00.79 (2016), 2:00.85 (2014), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.17 (2014), 2:01.24 (2016), 2:01.48 (2016), 2:01.59 (2017), 2:01.60 (2014), 2:01.66 (2016). *

also swam 1:59.94 (2018), 2:00.13 (2014), 2:00.65 (2017), 2:01.04 (2020), 2:01.13 (2018), 2:01.15 (2017), 2:01.16 (2020), 2:01.37 (2018), 2:01.41 (2017), 2:01.56 (2020), 2:01.58 (2016), 2:01.60 (2018). *

also swam 2:00.14 (2011), 2:01.53 (2015). * Beata Nelson also swam 2:00.33 (2021), 2:00.43 (2022), 2:01.31 (2020), 2:01.65 (2020). *

Daryna Zevina Daryna Zevina ( uk, Дарина Зевіна; born 1 September 1994 Kathleen Baker Kathleen Baker (born February 28, 1997) is an American competition swimming (sport), swimmer who specializes in freestyle swimming, freestyle and backstroke swimming, backstroke events. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she won a gold medal in the Sw ...

also swam 2:00.79 (2018), 2:00.85 (2018), 2:01.22 (2019), 2:01.57 (2019). * Elizabeth Simmonds also swam 2:00.91 (2015), 2:01.48 (2009). *

Lisa Bratton Lisa Bratton (born May 5, 1996) is an American professional swimmer for the Canadian based Toronto Titans of the International Swimming League. Bratton won the gold medal in the 200 m backstroke at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships ( ...

also swam 2:00.99 (2020), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.61 (2020). * Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011). * Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011). *

also swam 2:01.56 (2018). *

Amy Bilquist Amy Bilquist (born August 11, 1997) is an American competitive Swimming (sport), swimmer who specializes in the backstroke and Freestyle swimming, freestyle events. She represented LA Current in the 2019 season of the International Swimming Leag ...

also swam 2:01.61 (2019).

References

{{World records in swimming Backstroke 200 metres World record progression 200 metres backstroke