100 metres Backstroke, Women

As with every other major backstroke event since Munich the scenario was as follows: Ulrike Richter was in the race, therefore, Ulrike Richter won the race, usually in a world record. Since 1972 Richter had won the 1973 and 1975 World Championships, the 1974 European Championships, and had set nine world records in the 100 backstroke. The only major backstroke she had lost in four years came at the 1976 GDR Olympic Trials, when Kornelia Ender defeated her and briefly claimed the world record, which Richter regained two days later opening the medley relay. Ender was the women’s star of the Montréal Olympics, but did not contest the 100 backstroke which left it open for Richter. She easily won the gold medal over her teammate, Birgit Treiber, with her only disappointment being that the world record stayed intact. Canadians Nancy Garapick and Wendy Cook-Hogg placed 3-4, as the top four finished in same places as they had at the 1975 World Championship.