Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre backstroke

The women's 200 metre backstroke event at the 2020 Summer Olympics was held from 29 to 31 July 2021 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. It was the event's fourteenth consecutive appearance, having been held at every edition since 1968.

Summary
In similar fashion to her win in the shorter backstroke event days earlier, Australia's Kaylee McKeown came from behind to strike a backstroke double for the first time since Missy Franklin in 2012. Canada's Kylie Masse narrowly led over McKeown at the first turn, before extending her margin to 0.80 seconds at the halfway mark. Only recovering a tenth of a second on the penultimate lap, McKeown used a blistering final lap to overtake Masse and win Australia's first title in the event in 2:04.68. Meanwhile Masse broke her Canadian record to win the silver medal, her second at these Games.

Fifth at the final turn, Australia's two-time World champion Emily Seebohm (2:06.17) charged home to claim the bronze medal - her second individual Olympic medal - and join teammate McKeown on the podium. The U.S.' Rhyan White (2:06.39) and Phoebe Bacon (2:06.40) could not hold off Seebohm down the stretch, finishing within 0.01 seconds of each other to take fourth and fifth, respectively. Almost two seconds behind, Masse's teammate Taylor Ruck claimed a distant sixth spot in 2:08.40. The Chinese duo of Peng Xuwei (2:08.26) and Liu Yaxin (2:08.48) closed out the championship field.

Notably, the U.S.' world record holder and reigning World champion Regan Smith failed to qualify for the event after placing third at the 2020 USA Swimming Olympic trials.

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

Prior to this competition, the fastest time this year in the event was as follows:

No new records were set during the competition.

Qualification
The Olympic Qualifying Time for the event is 2:10.39. 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 2:14.30. 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 female 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, advanced to the semifinals.

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