200 m backstroke, women

What to remember

At the NSW State Championships in Sydney on March 10, 2023, Australia's Kaylee McKeown swam the 200 m backstroke in 2 min 03.14 s. The record therefore fell at a state meet rather than at a major championship. For men, the long course mark belongs to American Aaron Peirsol.

The 200 metres backstroke covers four lengths of an Olympic pool on the back. The men's event was swum at the 1900 Olympics, dropped in 1904 and only brought back in 1964; women have contested it since 1968. It has been held at the World Aquatics Championships since 1973.

McKeown is the younger sister of swimmer Taylor McKeown. She won gold in both the 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, and holds a record 10 individual backstroke titles across the Olympic Games and World Championships. She also owns the short course 200 m backstroke world record and formerly held the long course 50 m and 100 m marks.