100 metres Backstroke, Women

East German Rica Reinisch equalled or broke the world record in this event three times in Moscow. She started with 1:01.51 to open the medley relay team, which equalled the world record of Ulrike Richter, set in Berlin in 1976. Then Reinisch swam 1:01.50 in the prelims to qualify first for the final. She then won the final in 1:00.86 to set a world record that lasted until 1984. Reinisch would also win the 200 backstroke in Moscow, adding a third gold medal in the medley relay. It was her only year at the top of international swimming, as her health was badly damaged by the steroids given to her by the East German authorities. She was later compensated by German authorities after this was revealed, and expressed regret at what might have been, “The worst thing is they took away from me the opportunity to ever know if I could have won the gold medals without the steroids. That’s the greatest betrayal of all.”