200 metres Butterfly, Men

In the absence of the Americans this was a junior varsity race. The USA had swept all three medals at the 1976 Olympics, led by Mike Bruner who was also 1978 World Champion and would have been the favorite in Moscow, save for the US-sponsored boycott. The 200 fly was the first final in Moscow and was won by Soviet Serhiy Fesenko in 1:59.76, who had never won this event at a major international, but would win the 1981 and 1983 Universiade. He was actually somewhat better in the 400 individual medley, winning gold in that event at the 1977 and 1981 European Championships, and taking silver at the 1978 World Championships. Ten days later the US Nationals were held, won by Craig Beardsley in 1:58.46 after recording 1:58.21 in a heat. Second and third were Bruner in 1:59.13 and Bill Forrester, 1976 Olympic bronze medalist in the event, in 1:59.40. The silver medalist from Montréal, Steve Gregg, placed eighth at the US Nationals in 2:00.98, which would have won a silver medal in Moscow.