World Records - 200 m Men

The 200 m Men world record stands at 19.19, set by Usain Bolt (JAM) in 2009. Explore its full progression through athletics history.

UB
Usain Bolt
200 mètresMen
WR
19.19WR
Usain Bolt
JAMJAMJAM
August 20, 2009
Berlin, Germany

Record standing for: 17 years, 1 months

Record History

PerformanceAthleteCountryDateCompetitionsGap vs WRDurationImprovement
19.19WR
Usain BoltJAMJAMAug 20, 2009Berlin, GermanyWR17y 1mo (Current)-0.11s
19.30
Usain BoltJAMJAMAug 20, 2008Beijing, China+0.11s1y -0.02s
19.32+0.4
Michael JohnsonUSAUSAAug 1, 1996Atlanta, United States+0.13s12y -0.34s
19.66+1.7
Michael JohnsonUSAUSAJun 23, 1996Atlanta, United States+0.47s2mo -0.86s
20.52
Stefano TilliITAITAFeb 21, 1985Turin+1.33s11y 4mo -0.88s
21.40
Manfred OmmerGERGERFeb 23, 1974Munich+2.21s11y +0.90s
20.5
Livio BerrutiITAITASep 3, 1960Rome, Italy+1.31s13y 5mo -
20.5+0.0
Shawn JohnsonUSAUSAJul 2, 1960Stanford, United States+1.31s2mo -
20.5+0.0
Ray NortonUSAUSAJul 2, 1960Stanford, United States+1.31s0d -0.10s
20.6
Ray NortonUSAUSAApr 30, 1960Philadelphia, United States+1.41s3mo -
20.6
Manfred GermarGERGEROct 1, 1958Wuppertal, Germany+1.41s1y 6mo -
20.6
Bobby MorrowUSAUSANov 27, 1956Melbourne, Australia+1.41s1y 11mo -
20.6+0.0
Thane BakerUSAUSAJun 23, 1956Bakersfield, United States+1.41s5mo -
20.6
Andy StanfieldUSAUSAJun 28, 1952Los Angeles, United States+1.41s4y -
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who holds the 200 m Men world record?

Usain Bolt (Jamaica) holds the 200 m Men world record with 19.19, set on August 20, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

Who held the 200 m Men world record before Usain Bolt?

Michael Johnson (United States) held it with 19.32, from August 1, 1996 until August 20, 2008 (12 years).

How many times has the 200 m Men world record been improved?

Elite Trackr's progression lists 13 improvements since 1952, when Andy Stanfield set 20.6.