The 200 metres at the World Championships in Athletics has been contested by both men and women since the inaugural edition in 1983.

Two-time champion Merlene Ottey has won more medals in the 200 m than any other athlete, reaching the podium six times in a period stretching from 1983 to 1997.

The champion Marion Jones was stripped of her gold medal and bronze medalist Kelli White met the same fate.

The first male doping disqualifications happened the same year, with quarter-finalists Christophe Cheval and Ramon Clay being the offenders.

Doping persisted at the 2003 World Championships – White was the champion that year and her retrospective ban also affected this result.