Swimming at the 1912 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke


The men's 100 metre backstroke was a swimming event held as part of the swimming at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the second appearance of the event, which had been introduced in 1908. In 1904 a 100-yard event was held. The competition was held from Tuesday July 9, 1912 to Saturday July 13, 1912.
Eighteen swimmers from seven nations competed.

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records prior to the 1912 Summer Olympics.
World Record1:15.6 Otto FahrMagdeburg April 29, 1912
Olympic Record1:24.6 Arno BiebersteinLondon July 17, 1908

The Olympic record fell during the very first heat. Harry Hebner's 1:21.0 in the first heat stood until Hebner raced again. In the first semifinal, he bettered his own new record with a 1:20.8. He was unable to match that pace in the final, but still took the win with a finish that was over 1 second faster than the second-place swimmer.

Results

Quarterfinals

The top two in each heat advanced along with the fastest loser overall.
Quarterfinal 1
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:21.0QS OR
21:24.0QS
31:33.8
—DQ

Quarterfinal 2
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:22.0QS
21:29.4QS
31:46.8
—DQ

Quarterfinal 3
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:22.0QS
21:26.0QS
31:47.2
—DQ

Quarterfinal 4
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:27.0QS
21:27.2QS
31:31.2qs
41:34.2

Quarterfinal 5
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:26.6QS
21:31.8QS

Semifinals

The top two from each heat and the faster of the two third place swimmers advanced.
Semifinal 1
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:20.8QF OR
21:21.8QF
31:26.2qf
41:26.4
5
6

Semifinal 1
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
11:26.0QF
21:26.2QF
31:26.8
41:32.2
—1:35.0

Final

PlaceSwimmerTime
11:21.2
21:22.4
31:24.0
41:25.2
51:25.8