Missy Franklin on Evolution of Women’s 100 Backstroke World Record to 57.13: ‘That’s Sick!’

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Missy Franklin on Evolution of Women’s 100 Backstroke World Record to 57.13: ‘That’s Sick!’

The evolution of the women’s 100 backstroke has been simply astonishing the past two-plus decades.

With some of the greatest swimmers in U.S. history swimming the event – and having to battle it out head-to-head, the times have exponentially gotten faster – and faster.

Just 16 years ago, Natalie Coughlin broke 59 seconds for the first time, which at the time was astounding.

Now, Regan Smith‘s world record sits at 57.13 as she looks poised to reach the 56-second mark in Paris.

“It was insane,” Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin said about Smith’s world record. “I don’t really have words that we are less than two tenths from a woman going a 56 in the 100 backstroke – that’s sick!”

Franklin won gold in the 100 backstroke in London as she took her turn as the world’s best.

Now, times have her as astonished as the rest of us.

“To think what I won gold with wouldn’t even make the team this year,” Franklin said. “It is amazing.”

Not only did Smith break the world record in 57.13, but second place went to Katharine Berkoff at 57.91 as she became just the fifth swimmer in history to join the 57 club.

“I know how much that race meant to her and how much of a battle that world record has been. I really can’t even believe that. Then you have Katharine Berkoff going a 57.9, that is incredible,” Missy Franklin said.

It has been a long journey for women’s backstroke, but the U.S. women have led the charge. Eleven American swimmers have won Olympic gold in the event, including Coughlin twice.

In 2002, Coughlin became the first female swimmer to break a minute in the 100 backstroke, going a 59.58. She then became the first female to break 59 seconds, going a 58.97 – her fifth world record in the event at the 2008 Olympic Trials.

It took Coughlin, one of the greatest swimmers in the history of the world, six years to drop a second from her best time.

The U.S. had three swimmers break that time in the 2024 100 backstroke finals, led by 57s from Smith and Berkoff.

“It is doing for our sport, for women’s athletes, for the backstroke,” Missy Franklin said. “I couldn’t imagine two better athletes to represent us this summer.”

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use