Swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre backstroke

The women's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1996 Summer Olympics took place on 25 July at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, United States.

Records
Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows.

Heats
Rule: The eight fastest swimmers advance to final A (Q), while the next eight to final B (q).