Swimming at the 1972 München Summer Games:

Roland Matthes had won this event and the 100 backstroke in 1968. Since Mexico City he had bettered the world record in the 200 back five times and the 100 back four times. Four days before this event he had defended his gold medal in the 100 backstroke and he started the 200 back as the clear favorite. The final saw Matthes started slowly as the early lead was set by American Mitch Ivey, followed by his teammate Mike Stamm, silver medalist in the 100 back. Ivey still led at 100 metres but Matthes had moved into second, but he caught Ivey at 125 metres and had a full bodylength lead by the final turn, the race all but over. He eventually won by over a second, but Stamm came on strong to catch a tiring Ivey and won the silver medal.