The men's 200 metre backstroke event at the 2020 Summer Olympics was held from 28 to 30 July 2021 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

While he led wire-to-wire after the first lap, Rylov extended his margin over the field to collect his second individual gold.

The U.S.' Ryan Murphy trailed Great Britain's Luke Greenbank at the 50 m mark, but moved through the field to collect silver in 1:54.15 – almost a second behind Rylov.

Competing at his fourth Olympics, Japanese backstroke stalwart and 2012 silver medallist Ryosuke Irie (1:57.32) came seventh while Spain's Nicolás García (1:59.06) rounded out the field.

Up to two swimmers per National Olympic Committee (NOC) could automatically qualify by swimming that time at an approved qualification event.

Up to one swimmer per NOC meeting that time was eligible for selection, allocated by world ranking until the maximum quota for all swimming events was reached.