Russian Swimmers Win Backstroke Gold, Silver

TOKYO (AP) — The American men have lost a backstroke race at the Olympic pool for the first time 1992.

Russian athletes swept the top two spots in the 100-meter back, with Evgeny Rylov claiming the gold medal in 51.98 seconds and teammate Kliment Kolesnikov taking the silver in 52.00. The defending Olympic champion, American Ryan Murphy, settled for the bronze in 52.19.

It was the first backstroke defeat for the U.S. men at the Olympics since the 1992 Barcelona Games. They won 12 straight golds at the last six Olympics, including Murphy’s sweep of the 100- and 200-meter backstroke at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But the streak finally ended at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Evgeny Rylov earns gold in the men's 100m backstroke! @TeamUSA's @ryan_f_murphy earns bronze. #TokyoOlympics

📺: NBC
💻: https://t.co/GFrdWbcFoO
📱: NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/1qhexN1sZR

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021

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Kaylee McKeown has given the Australian women another swimming gold medal.

McKeown backed up her status as the world record-holder in the women’s 100-meter backstroke with a winning time of 57.47 seconds. That’s just off the mark she set this year of 57.45.

OLYMPIC RECORD! Australia's Kaylee McKeown wins gold in the women's 100m backstroke, with @TeamUSA's Regan Smith earning bronze. #TokyoOlympics

📺: NBC
💻: https://t.co/GFrdWbcFoO
📱: NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/FlF0HDkYlK

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021

The silver went to Canada’s Kylie Masse in 57.72, while former world record-holder Regan Smith of the United States settled for the bronze at 58.05.

Back in Orlando, Regan Smith's family gave her amazing support! #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/s0tQ0fhnfE

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021

Coming into the Olympics, Australia had not an individual women’s title since 2008. Now they have two, with McKeown’s gold coming after Ariarne Titmus’ victory Monday in the 400 freestyle.

Rhyan White finished in fourth place.

Rhyan White of Herriman finishes 4th in the women’s 100M backstroke at @Tokyo2020

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) July 27, 2021

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Britain has gone 1-2 in the men’s 200-meter freestyle at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Tom Dean captured the gold in 1 minute, 44.22 seconds, while teammate Duncan Scott picked up the silver in 1:44.26. The bronze went to Brazil’s Fernando Scheffer at 1:44.66.

'@tomdean00 wins GOLD in the 200m, and earns the first gold medal in the men's freestyle for @TeamGB since 1908! #TokyoOlympics

📺: NBC
💻: https://t.co/GFrdWbcFoO
📱: NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/lHUb9CfOhG

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021

American Kieran Smith settled for a sixth-place showing after capturing a bronze in the 400 free.

Defending champion Sun Yang was banned from the Tokyo Olympics for a doping violation. He is serving a more than four-year ban, though he could be eligible to return for the 2024 Paris Games.

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