200 metres Freestyle, Men

American Ryan Lochte was the 2011 World Champion and had been World Swimmer of the Year in 2011. He had twice defeated Michael Phelps at the US Olympic Trials in June and was favored in this event, especially after Phelps elected not to swim it. Lochte’s biggest challengers were expected to be Korean Park Tae-Hwan, silver medalist in the event in 2008 and gold medalist at Beijing in the 400, and France’s Yannick Agnel, who was European Champion in 2010 in the 400 free. An outsider was considered to be Sun Yang of China, who had already won the 400 free in London.

All four of the favorites qualified for the final. Agnel took the early lead but at 100 metres was in a virtual tie with Park. On the third lap, Lochte made his move but could never get into the lead. Sun had started very slowly, lying only sixth at 50 metres, but his strength was pulling him back into the race. On the final lap, Agnel pulled away and won easily in a textile world best of 1:43.14, with Park and Sun tying for second in 1:44.93, as Lochte dropped off the podium and finished fourth. For Agnel it was his second gold medal in London, having anchored the French team to the victory in the 4×100 freestyle relay.