Paris 2024 swimming: All results, as USA's Kate Douglass wins women’s 200m breaststroke

Team USA’s Kate Douglass won the women’s 200m breaststroke at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in 2:19.24 on Thursday 1 August, breaking her own American record set earlier this year.

South Africa’s star swimmer Tatjana Smith moved right behind Douglass in the final lap to finish with silver in 2:19.60. The Netherlands’ Tes Schouten earned bronze with a time of 2:21.05.

Douglass had a strong start and found an early advantage over Smith with strong turns. Going into the third lap, Smith gained on Douglass, but Douglass quickly retook the lead on the final lap, holding off Smith to win Olympic gold.

This marks a first Olympic gold for Douglass to add to the silver she earned earlier at these Games in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. Douglass has one more individual event to come, the 200m individual medley, the event for which she earned a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020.

Douglass shared her plan going into Thursday's competition. "I knew if I went a best time and went the American record, that would probably win the race. So that was the plan," she said. "I could see on the turn where I was, so I kicked it into high gear. I couldn't tell if she was going to catch me.

"I was trying to say calm and collected. The [200m] breast, I pretty easily can stay relaxed before it, because I have a specific race plan and I know that if I stick to that I know it is probably going to go pretty well."

Douglass said of her gold medal win:, "I'm really excited. For a while I wasn't sure if Olympic champion was going to be possible for me to say. And now it's really exciting to see it happen."

Smith, who picked up her second Games medal after clinching gold in the 100m breaststroke, confirmed her retirement following the competition.

"I think I'm a very fortunate athlete. I think a lot of people dream and hope to get what I have but, for me, it was never about the medals," she said. "It's always just trying to challenge myself, push myself, and that race was exactly that. It’s pushing and that fight and that competitiveness.

"That was an amazing race, so to end it off with a silver, but with a fight. That’s the best way to end it."

Smith finished sharing that she hasn't given up on the Olympic spirit. "You'll probably see me at the next Olympics, but on the staff," she said. "I would love to just experience that as a spectator."

Schouten is only the second swimmer from The Netherlands to make an Olympic final in the 200m breaststroke. She was rewarded with her first Olympic medal.

Schouten was still in shock as she spoke to reporters following the competition, saying, "It feels a bit unreal. I don't really know how to explain it. I am happy and I am really shocked. I don't think it has really kicked in as yet. I feel a little weird, I can't wait for the ceremony, and then I think everything will kick in. I will see my parents and coach, and then it will start to feel real. I am like, did this really happen or is it a dream?"

This also marks the final individual event for three-time Team USA Olympian Lilly King, who finished in eighth and had previously announced that she won't be making an Olympic bid for LA 2028.

Swimming: Women’s 200m breaststroke podium
Gold Kate Douglass, USA
Silver Tatjana Smith RSA
Bronze Tes Schouten NED

See all the results on Olympics.com