1988 Olympic Games - Swimming - Men's 200 Meter Backstroke - Igor Polianski URS

Igor Polyansky (URS) came into Seoul as the heavy favorite in this event, having lost only one race since 1985, that at the 1987 European Championships to his teammate, Sergey Zabolotnov. They had set the last two world records, with Zabolotnov setting his at the 1984 Friendship Games in Moscow, just after the Los Angeles Olympics, but Polyansky broke that record in 1985 with 1:58.14. In the Seoul final, Zabolotnov led at 100 metres, but Polyansky took the lead on the third lap. He held on for the gold medal and East German Frank Baltrusch finished quickly for silver, as Zabolotnov fell off the medal stand and placed fourth.
The bronze medal went to New Zealander Paul Kingsman, whose best previous international finish had been a third at the 1987 Pan Pacs. The awards ceremony would not go so well for him or for Polyansky. First, Kingsman was introduced as from the Soviet Union. Then Polyansky had to stand there as they corrected that, but they overdid it, and announced the playing of the New Zealand national anthem. Fortunately that was corrected and the Soviet anthem was actually played.

[@big_badaboom]

Paul Kingsman swam a fantastic race for third here. Before the games, he was ranked 20th in the world.

[@MrVpassenheim]

Wow, so glad I missed most of this broadcast in 1988. Jon Naber was such a tool. He showed it here and he showed it in his interview of Duncan Armstrong when he won the 200 free and upset the favorites.

[@user_loss]

Поляна, дарова!!! Привет тебе из прошлого, из далекого БССР!!!

[@albertozerain1115]

thank you, coverage from my favorite games.

[@oliveropherk2134]

the legend in backstroking.

[@bukurie6861]

Igor Polianski URS 200 M Backstroke Bravo🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊You are Best Swimming🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊 Igor!Finished and Won Gold Medalist.

[@namelastname5418]

We were so proud of him at school. He was a legend!

[@metsdudenj]

great speedos there

[@weiyuli8359]

Go Igor!

[@muhammadtaufik5336]

The turn. The turn has different rules and method than present backstroke swimming

[@1046C]

How come he was allowed to dolphin kick for that long??

[@yelyto__4476]

💕 💕 💕

[@bobby1968100]

Kennt den jemand ?

[@lexsoft3969]

I remember David Berkoff said that he copied what Igor Polianski did underwater.

[@TSUTENKAKU007]

What happened to the U.S.A.? He supposed to be fast?

[@jeffreywalter1563]

That's my swim coach

[@daniellebates4419]

same as my son

[@mlushkott]

Same as my daughter

[@piaopiao3002]

Do u swim at United

[@trejones6071]

Just watched this I swam with Veatch I the Virgin Islands Peter Bernstein stayed at my home

[@namelastname5418]

My schoolmate