Ryan Lochte beats Aaron Peirsol to win men's 200m Backstroke gold with new WR

Ryan Lochte of the United States had to fight off a strong Russian challenge to finish with a gold medal setting a world record in the men's 200m Backstroke final at the National Aquatics Center pool today.


(Photo credit: Ding Xu/Xinhua)

While many expected the fiercest fight to come from American Aaron Peirsol, Lochte instead had to contend with a strong swim from Russian Arkady Vyatchanin for much of the race.

Lochte, the world champion, trailed surprise leader Vyatchanin at the last turn but asserted his authority, pulling away in the last 50m for a comfortable win in a world record 1:53.94.


(Photo credit: Chen Kai/Xinhua)

Peirsol, the defending Olympic champion who won the gold in the 100m Backstroke on Tuesday, came in second for the silver medal in 1:54.33.

Vyatchanin, after leading much of the race, died in the final leg but managed to hold on for the bronze medal in a European record time of 1:54.93. Vyatchanin also won the bronze medal on Tuesday in the 100m Backstroke.

Peirsol and Lochte shared the world record up until today.


(Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)