200m is a sprint running event. It is less popular than the 100m, and often attracts runners from that event who wish to "double up" and claim both titles. This feat has been achieved eight times at the Olympic Games, the last by Carl Lewis in 1984. A unique Olympic double of 200m and 400m was achieved by Michael Johnson in 1996.

On an outdoor 400m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. To most trained runners, this is a pure power race. A slightly shorter race, run on a straight track, was the first recorded event at the Ancient Olympics.

The current men's world record holder is Michael Johnson, who ran 19.32 seconds at the 1996 Olympic Games. The reigning Olympic champions are Shawn Crawford and Veronica Campbell.

Famous 200m runners

Men

• Shawn Crawford
• Michael Johnson
• Konstantinos Kenteris
• Carl Lewis
• Mike Marsh
• Jesse Owens
• Tommie Smith

Women

• Fanny Blankers-Koen
• Florence Griffith Joyner
• Marion Jones
• Marie-José Perec
• Gwen Torrence