Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly

The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 2020 Summer Olympics was held in 2021 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. It was the event's seventeenth consecutive appearance, having been held at every edition since 1956.

Summary
After breaking Michael Phelps' decade-long world record in the event in 2019, Hungary's Kristóf Milák finally won his first individual Olympic title. Overcoming a suit malfunction minutes before the start of the race, Milák dominated the race to win gold in an Olympic record of 1:51.25. Despite overhauling the field by more than two seconds, Milák expressed disappointment in not breaking the world record due to his suit change.

Fourth at the final turn, Japan's Tomoru Honda rallied to join Milák on the podium and deliver the host nation a silver medal in 1:53.73. Meanwhile, Italy's Federico Burdisso moved from third to second at the 150 m mark, but could not hold off Honda in the final lap, settling for bronze in 1:54.45. Hungary's Tamás Kenderesi (1:54.52) eclipsed South Africa's 2012 champion Chad le Clos (1:54.93), who faded in the closing stages after commanding a brief lead, by 0.41 seconds to take fourth. Outside the 1:54 club, Brazil's Leonardo de Deus (1:55.19), the U.S.' Gunnar Bentz (1:55.46) and Poland's Krzysztof Chmielewski (1:55.88) rounded out the championship field.

Notably, it marked the first time in the 21st century where U.S. great Michael Phelps did not appear in the event.

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

The following record was established during the competition:

Qualification
The Olympic Qualifying Time for the event is 1:56.48. Up to two swimmers per National Olympic Committee (NOC) can automatically qualify by swimming that time at an approved qualification event. The Olympic Selection Time is 1:59.97. Up to one swimmer per NOC meeting that time is eligible for selection, allocated by world ranking until the maximum quota for all swimming events is reached. NOCs without a male swimmer qualified in any event can also use their universality place.

Competition format
The competition consists of three rounds: heats, semifinals, and a final. The swimmers with the best 16 times in the heats advance to the semifinals. The swimmers with the best 8 times in the semifinals advance to the final. Swim-offs are used as necessary to break ties for advancement to the next round.

Schedule
All times are Japan standard time (UTC+9)

Heats
The swimmers with the top 16 times, regardless of heat, advance to the semifinals.

Semifinals
The swimmers with the best 8 times, regardless of heat, advanced to the final.