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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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tea rex
3 months ago

Sad Jack Aikins time from trials would have been SILVER

dontbeasucker
3 months 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 »

Ranger Coach
Reply to  dontbeasucker
3 months ago

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).

Here Comes Lezak
3 months 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.

Mothman
Reply to  Here Comes Lezak
3 months ago

COVID?

Here Comes Lezak
Reply to  Mothman
3 months ago

That would be my best guess. Even if it was a mild case or sub clinical, it can be enough to dull the knife a few percent to not let you finish off your races.

I miss the ISL (go dawgs)
3 months 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
3 months ago

Not great from Casas but I think he made it.

Caleb
Reply to  Caleb
3 months ago

yeah that was a Fallon-level comment, crossed with Erika Brown swimming the wrong stroke. What thread am I on, anyway?

YGBSM
3 months 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?

Facts
Reply to  YGBSM
3 months ago

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

Ranger Coach
Reply to  Facts
3 months ago

The NCAA would not go for that.

Ranger Coach
Reply to  YGBSM
3 months ago

I think Trials should be right around Memorial Day instead of later in June. The selection process is fine. I think a lot of the swimmers are getting sick this year. Swimming has been lucky the last few Olympics in that they haven’t had a high rate of illness. Illness happens every Olympics when you bring in people from all over the world.

Ranger Coach
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 months ago

I think that 2028 will have Trials at SoFi since that is where swimming will be for the Olympics. I could see Vegas, Glendale, or Indianapolis for 2032. I do think a ‘dry run’ should be held for Worlds in the next couple of years with the timing so that it is not totally new in 2028, if they do change the timeline.

Lpman
3 months 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
3 months ago

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

Nereus
Reply to  Former Big10
3 months ago

I’d say abysmal and I stand by it…

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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