The 200 metres individual medley is a race in Competitive Swimming in which swimmers compete in all 4 strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle in one race.

Description

Swimmers start by diving off the block and swimming 50 metres of the Butterfly stroke, then touching the wall with both hands and turning into 50 metres of Backstroke, then touching the wall with one hand (and possibly flipping after touching the wall), they turn into the 50 metres of Breaststroke. They finish the race with 50 metres of Freestyle.

Competitions

Many competitions allow swimmers to compete in the 200 metre Individual Medley. In Olympic swimming, the 200 metre Long-Course-Meters Individual Medley is available for swimmers to race (if they are registered into the meet). In International/National swimming, both the 200 metre Long-Course-Metres and Short-Course-Metres can be available for swimmers to race in (depending on if it is a short-course meet or a long-course meet). In age group meets, both the Short-Course-Metres and Long-Course-Metres race can be available for swimmers to race in, depending on which kind of meet it is.

Record

(Above: Ryan Lochte swims the butterfly leg of the 200 metre Individual Medley)

World Record (SCM). Ryan Lochte (USA), 1:50.08
World Record (LCM). Ryan Lochte (USA), 1:54.10
Order: 50 metres butterfly, 50 metres backstroke, 50 metres breaststroke, 50 metres freestyle
Number of lengths (SCM). 8
Number of lengths (LCM). 4

See also

• Medley swimming
• World record progression 200 metres medley