200metres

The 200 metres is a sprint event in track and field. On outdoor tracks, the distance covers half the circumference of a standard 400-metre track, beginning on a curved stagger and finishing on the home straight. On indoor tracks, which are typically 200 metres in circumference, the race is run as a single lap. Times are recorded to the hundredth of a second, and performances are eligible for world records only when wind assistance does not exceed 2.0 metres per second.

Runners begin in staggered lanes on the curve and run counterclockwise, generally staying in their assigned lanes for the entire race and completing the finish in the straight. The event emphasizes acceleration, top-end speed, and the ability to maintain velocity through the bend. Curve geometry and lane assignment can influence strategy and performance, as outer lanes require running a longer arc.

World records and status: The men’s world record is 19.19 seconds, set by Usain Bolt in Berlin in 2009. The women’s world record is 21.34 seconds, set by Florence Griffith Joyner in Seoul in 1988. Both marks are recognized under standard conditions, with wind assistance limited to 2.0 m/s or less. Many other fast performances occur in major meets around the world, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and the Diamond League.

The 200 metres is a core sprint event alongside the 100 metres and 400 metres, contested at international and youth levels and widely run in clubs and schools. The distance is approximately 218.7 yards.