Team USA’s Kate Douglass triumphed in the women’s 200m breaststroke at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, clocking in at 2:19.24 on Thursday, August 1st, and setting a new American record.
Tatjana Smith of South Africa finished strong, securing the silver medal in 2:19.60, while Tes Schouten from the Netherlands took home the bronze with a time of 2:21.05.
Douglass took an early lead with powerful turns. Although Smith closed the gap in the third lap, Douglass regained her advantage in the final stretch, ultimately claiming the gold.
This victory marks Douglass’s first Olympic gold, adding to the silver she won earlier in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay at these Games. She still has one individual event left, the 200m individual medley, in which she won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020.
Reflecting on her strategy, Douglass said, “I knew if I set a personal best and broke the American record, I had a strong chance of winning. That was the plan. I could see my position on the turn, so I pushed harder. I wasn’t sure if she would catch me.”
Douglass added, “I stayed calm and focused. I have a specific race plan for the 200m breast, and if I stick to it, I usually perform well.”
Expressing her joy at winning, Douglass said, “I’m really excited. For a while, I wasn’t sure if becoming an Olympic champion was within my reach. It’s thrilling to see it actually happen.”