2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
Defending silver medalist Ryan Murphy of the US missed the final of the men’s 200 backstroke after posting a 1:56.62 in semifinals for 10th. Murphy already won silver in the 100 backstroke this week.
It took a 1:56.52 to make tomorrow night’s final as Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez earned the last spot in finals with the 8th fastest time of the night. Murphy looked to be in position to make the final as he pushed his first-25 of the last 50 but he was unable to hold on and the field closed on him as he fell to 6th in the second semifinals heat.
Murphy was looking to make history as he could have become the first swimmer to ever make back to back to back podiums in both backstroke events. He won the 100 back in Rio, won bronze in the 100 in Tokyo, and won silver here in Paris. In the 200 back, he won gold in Rio before winning silver in Tokyo.
The US looks to still continue its backstroke success as Keaton Jones, who trains alongside Murphy at Cal, is the 6th seed tomorrow night after swimming a 1:56.39. The US has had a swimmer on the podium in the event in every Olympics since 1996. The last time they did not have a medalist was at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
