The first World Record in the 200 m for women (athletics) was recognised by the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI) in 1922. The FSFI was absorbed by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1936. However, the IAAF did not maintain a record category for 200 m (bend) as opposed to 200 m (straight) until after 1951. The IAAF eliminated the 200 m (straight) record after 1976. "y" denotes times set at 220 yards (201.17 m) which were ratified as world records.
Contents
To June 21, 2009, the IAAF (and the FSFI before it) have ratified 26 world records in the event.
Records 1922–36; 1951–76
(+) denotes en route time set during longer race
Records from 1977
From 1975, the IAAF accepted separate automatically electronically timed records for events up to 400 metres. Starting January 1, 1977, the IAAF required fully automatic timing to the hundredth of a second for these events.
Irena Szewińska's 22.21 from 1974 was the fastest eligible 200 metre performance at that time.