Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke


The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between November 30 and December 6. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic-size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.

Medalists

Results

Heats

Three heats were held; the swimmers with the fastest eight times advanced to the Finals. The athletes that advanced are highlighted.

Heat One

Heat Two

Heat Three

Final

RankAthleteCountryTimeNotes
Masaru Furukawa2:34.7
Masahiro Yoshimura2:36.7
Kharis Yunichev2:36.8
4Terry Gathercole2:38.7
5Igor Zaseda2:39.0
6Knud Gleie2:40.0
7Manuel Sanguily2:42.0
Hugues BroussardDSQ

A loophole in the rules allowed swimmers to swim below the surface of the water, which was quicker and more efficient, with Furukawa spending 75% of the race underwater. Underwater swimming was banned in early 1957.
Key: DSQ = Disqualified