Here we have come to watch the fastest athletes in the men’s 200m history.
What is the fastest men's 200m?
Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt holds the record for the fastest men’s 200m race with 19.19 seconds, which he achieved in the World Athletics Championships 2009.
Who had the 200m record before Usain Bolt?
Before Usain Bolt, the United States’ Michael Johnson was the fastest in the men’s 200m race with his record 19.32 seconds in 1996.
Men’s 200m: Top 10 fastest
Mark | Wind | Athlete (Nation) | Venue | Date |
19.19 | −0.3 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | Berlin | 20 August 2009 |
19.26 | +0.7 | Yohan Blake (Jamaica) | Brussels | 16 September 2011 |
19.30 | −0.9 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | Beijing | 20 August 2008 |
19.31 | +0.4 | Noah Lyles (United States) | Eugene | 21 July 2022 |
19.32 | +0.4 | Michael Johnson (United States) | Atlanta | 1 August 1996 |
19.32 | +0.4 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | London | 9 August 2012 |
19.40 | +0.8 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | Daegu | 3 September 2011 |
19.44 | +0.4 | Yohan Blake (Jamaica) | London | 9 August 2012 |
19.46 | +0.8 | Noah Lyles (United States) | Monaco | 10 August 2022 |
19.46 | +0.4 | Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) | Saint-Denis | 8 August 2024 |
Men’s 200m: World Record Progression
Mark | Wind | Athlete (Nation) | Venue | Date |
19.19 | −0.3 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | Berlin | 20 August 2009 |
19.30 | −0.9 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | Beijing | 20 August 2008 |
19.32 | +0.4 | Michael Johnson (United States) | Atlanta, Georgia | 1 August 1996 |
19.66 | +1.7 | Michael Johnson (United States) | Atlanta, Georgia | 23 June 1996 |
19.72 | +1.8 | Pietro Mennea (Italy) | Ciudad de México | 12 September 1979 |
19.8h | +1.3 | Don Quarrie (Jamaica) | Oregon | 7 June 1975 |
19.8h | +1.0 | Don Quarrie (Jamaica) | Cali | 3 August 1971 |
19.8h | +0.9 | Tommie Smith (United States) | Ciudad de México | 16 October 1968 |
20.0h y | 0.0 | Tommie Smith (United States) | California | 11 June 1966 |
20.2h y | +0.5 | Henry Carr (United States) | Arizona | 4 April 1964 |
Men’s 200m: Continental Records
Area | Mark | Wind | Athlete (Nation) | Season |
North, Central America and Caribbean | 19.19 | -0.3 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | 2009 |
Africa | 19.46 | +0.4 | Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) | 2024 |
Europe | 19.72 | +1.8 | Pietro Mennea (Italy) | 1979 |
South America | 19.81 | -0.3 | Alonso Edward (Panama) | 2009 |
Asia | 19.88 | +0.9 | Xie Zhenye (China) | 2019 |
Oceania | 20.04 | +1.5 | Gout Gout (Australia) | 2025 |
Men’s 200m: Present Top Records
Area | Mark | Wind | Athlete (Nation) | Year |
World Record | 19.19 | -0.3 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | 2009 |
World Athletics Championships | 19.19 | -0.3 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | 2009 |
Summer Olympics | 19.30 | −0.9 | Usain Bolt (Jamaica) | 2008 |