Hungary’s Hubert Kos delivered the first gold medal for his nation at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, securing victory in the men’s 200-meter backstroke. Kos, the 2023 world champion, overcame a late surge from Greek swimmer Apostolos Christou, who ultimately claimed the silver medal. The Hungarian’s triumph came in a thrilling finish, as he touched the wall in 1 minute 54.26 seconds, edging out Christou by a margin of 0.56 seconds. Kos had trailed at the 100-meter mark but found his stride in the latter half of the race, showcasing impressive power and strategy. Switzerland’s Roman Mityukov secured the bronze medal.
Christou, who led for the first 150 meters, made history for Greece by winning the country’s first swimming medal in a race not held in open water since the Athens Games of 1896. He acknowledged the pressure of the moment, noting that his primary focus had been on the 100-meter backstroke. However, he delivered a remarkable performance, showcasing his resilience and determination.
Kos, who trains under renowned coach Bob Bowman (former coach of Michael Phelps), attributed his win to his unwavering focus and strategic approach. He emphasized that his strategy differed from previous races, acknowledging the need for a different approach to secure victory.
This victory marks a significant moment for Hungarian swimming, as it sets the tone for their campaign at the Paris Olympics. For Greece, Christou’s silver medal is a testament to the country’s enduring commitment to swimming excellence, a sport that holds historical significance for the nation.
The absence of several notable swimmers from the Tokyo Olympics added a layer of intrigue to the race. Britain’s Luke Greenbank, the Tokyo bronze medalist, was disqualified in the heats, while Ryan Murphy of the United States, the 2021 silver medalist, failed to qualify for the final. Notably, Evgeny Rylov, the previous champion from Russia, was not competing.
Hugo Gonzalez de Oliveira of Spain, the world champion, finished sixth, while Lukas Maertens of Germany, who had won the 400-meter freestyle gold, placed last.
