Olympic Swimming 2021: Men's 200M Individual Medley Medal Winners and Times

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJuly 30, 2021

China's Wang Shun competes in a semi-final of the men's 200m individual medley swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 29, 2021. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

China's Shun Wang pulled off a stunning upset in the men's 200-meter individual medley on Thursday night, winning gold, while the United States' Michael Andrew surprisingly missed the medal stand altogether.

Wang swam a time of 1:55.00, besting Great Britain's Duncan Scott (1:55.28) and Switzerland's Jeremy Desplanches (1:56.17). Andrew, who shot out like a cannon but ran out of steam down the stretch, finished fifth (1:57.31).

The men's 200-meter IM had been completely dominated by Michael Phelps this century, as he won gold in the event four straight times dating back to the 2004 Athens Games.

Nick Zaccardi @nzaccardi
200 IM top times ever Lochte 1:54.00 Lochte 1:54.10 Phelps 1:54.16 Phelps 1:54.23 Phelps 1:54.27 Lochte 1:54.43 Lochte 1:54.56 Phelps 1:54.66 Phelps 1:54.75 Phelps 1:54.80 Lochte/Phelps 1:54.84 Lochte 1:54.90 Lochte 1:54.93 Lochte/Phelps 1:54.98 Wang 1:55.00 (Tokyo)

But Shun had experience in the race, winning the bronze at the 2016 Olympics.

Andrew looked like he might have the race in the bag over the first 150 meters, pulling out to a nice lead. But his usual foe, a suspect freestyle, reared its head again, costing him a place on the podium.

Pat Forde @ByPatForde
Michael Andrew has to change his training. You can’t be the best in the world for 150 meters and fall apart that badly in the freestyle.

Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbach
Michael Andrew races are frustrating experiences.

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Ryan Phillips @RumorsandRants
It's amazing how Michael Andrew just collapses in the last 50 of the 200 IM every time. Stunning actually. How does he not have a 50 freestyle in his bag?

Andrew made waves for reasons outside of the pool at these Olympics as well, telling reporters he was not vaccinated against COVID-19 and didn't have plans on getting the vaccine in the future.

Silver medalist Scott, meanwhile, is having an excellent Olympics, having claimed gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay and silver in the 200-meter freestyle.

"I've knocked over 1.5 seconds off my time in that event this year and it's my first proper international medal in that event, so I have to hold my head up high,” he told reporters after the event. "I'm happy with the swim."