Robin James Backhaus (born February 12, 1955) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic medalist, and former world record-holder.

[5] In a Marin County Athletic League Meet, swimming as a Senior for San Rafael High School in March 1973, he won the 100 free in 50.9 and the 200 Individual Medley in 2:08.4.

He transferred to the University of Alabama, where he completed his undergraduate studies and swam for the Crimson Tide Swim Team under Hall of Fame coach Don Gambril who would serve as a U.S.

[9] In the first swimming final of the Olympic competition, Backhaus won a bronze medal for his third-place performance in the men's 200-meter butterfly, finishing with a time of 2:03.23 behind Mark Spitz and Gary Hall, and completing an American sweep of the event.

[10] At the 1973 World Aquatics Championships in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, he won gold medals for his first-place finish in the 200-meter butterfly, and as a member of the winning U.S. team in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.