200 metres Backstroke, Men

Ryan Lochte was the defending gold medalist and, after winning five gold medals at the 2011 World Championships, including this event, was named World Swimmer of the Year. He was expected to win, and probably win easily. He was trying to double on this night, with the 200 IM final within a half-hour after the finish of this event. In the final Lochte took an early lead, with Japan’s Ryosuke Irie second at the first wall. By 100 metres Lochte’s teammate Tyler Clary had moved up to their shoulders. At 150 metres Lochte still led, but only 0.12 seconds ahead of Clary with Irie still close. But Clary was stronger coming home, finishing in 1:53.41 for the gold medal, as Irie also pulled ahead of Lochte to win silver.

Clary had had a difficult time since the US Olympic Trials, as he shortly thereafter had openly criticized swim legend Michael Phelps for not training very hard, only to later apologize for his remarks. Clary’s win was the fifth straight in the event for the United States, by five different backstrokers. Lochte’s night was not what he hoped as his attempt to win the 200 IM also came up short, when he finished second to Phelps.