100 m backstroke, women

What to remember

At the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis on June 18, 2024, Regan Smith swam the 100 m backstroke in 57.13 s. The men's long course world record belongs to Italy's Thomas Ceccon, and Smith also holds the women's short course record.

The 100 metres backstroke covers two lengths of an Olympic pool. Women have swum it at the Olympics since 1924; the men's event, held from 1908, was removed from the 1964 programme and reinstated in 1968. It has been part of the World Aquatics Championships since their first edition in 1973.

Born on February 9, 2002, Smith specializes in backstroke and butterfly. As a teenager she was regarded as the best American swimmer of her age group, and she broke out internationally at the 2019 World Championships with two gold medals. At the 2020 Olympics she won three medals but no gold; at the 2024 Games she collected five, three silver and two gold. She formerly held the 200 m backstroke world record too.