‘Old School’ Swim Performances That Have Endured the Test of Time (Female Edition)
Scan through the top-25 historical performers in all events and a few highlights stand out. As expected, many of the marks are from recent years, a reflection that swim performances continue to evolve. Never has the sport been faster, especially from a standpoint of depth.
More, the years 2008 and 2009 can be found frequently in the top-25 rankings. Of course, these performances were produced during the height of the super-suit era, when swimwear companies rolled out polyurethane suits that provided a technological edge. More than 100 world records were set during the super-suit period, with a handful of those standards still on the books.
Another highlight from the all-time rankings is the longevity maintained by athletes from previous eras. To remain a top-25 performer in history based on a time from 25 years ago – or longer – speaks to the ahead-of-her-time talent of that individual. Here is a look at some “old-school” performances that have endured the test of time.
Note: To be eligible, performances had to be at least 20 years old.
Inge de Bruijn: 50 Freestyle – 24.13 (2000)
At the 2000 Olympic Games, Dutchwoman Inge de Bruijn stormed to three individual gold medals – 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly. In the semifinals of the 50 freestyle, de Bruijn popped an effort of 24.13, which stood as the world record for more than seven years. De Bruijn’s time remains superb, as it would have earned silver at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore. The mark places de Bruijn at No. 24 on the all-time performer list.
Janet Evans: 800 Freestyle – 8:16.22 (1989)
Revered as one of the greatest swimmers in history, Janet Evans was a generational talent who took the distance scene to another level. At the 1989 Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo, Evans registered a world record of 8:16.22 in the 800 freestyle, an effort that lasted as the world record for just under 19 years. Evans’ global standard ranks her in the No. 12 slot in event history.
Janet Evans: 1500 Freestyle – 15:52.10 (1988)
The legendary Janet Evans makes her second appearance on this list, a fact that only confirms her greatness. At the 1988 United States Spring National Championships, Evans covered the 1500 freestyle in 15:52.10, good for a world record that wasn’t erased until 2007, when American Kate Ziegler clocked a 15:42.54. More than three decades after her swim, Evans is the No. 20 performer in history.
Krisztina Egerszegi: 200 Backstroke – 2:06.62 (1991)
Hungarian Krisztina Egerszegi is widely considered one of the top-five female swimmers of all-time, with the 200 backstroke serving as her signature event. At the 1991 European Championships, Egerszegi blistered a world record of 2:06.62 in the 200 backstroke, a record that stood until 2008. That performance by the Hall of Famer places her as the No. 25 performer in event lore.
Inge de Bruijn: 100 Butterfly – 56.61 (2000)
For the second time, Inge de Bruijn has defied time to appear in this feature. As part of her aforementioned excellence at the 2000 Olympic Games, the Dutch star went 56.61 to capture gold in the 100 butterfly. That time has de Bruijn tied for the 24th-fastest performer.
Susie O’Neill: 200 Butterfly – 2:05.81 (2000)
At the 2000 Australian Olympic Trials, Susie O’Neill took down the ultimate of world records when she produced a 2:05.81 performance in the 200 butterfly. That time bettered the 1981 standard of American Mary T. Meagher, who held the world record of 2:05.96. Meagher’s time is still good for 28th on the all-time chart, while O’Neill occupies the No. 24 position.
Misty Hyman: 200 Butterfly – 2:05.88 (2000)
When American Misty Hyman arrived at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, she was considered a potential medalist in the 200 butterfly, although favorite status was firmly owned by Aussie Susie O’Neill. However, Hyman delivered the performance of her career, going 2:05.88 to edge the Aussie star. Hyman’s time has her at No. 25 in 200 butterfly history.
Yana Klochkova: 400 Individual Medley – 4:33.59 (2000)
The 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney are well-represented on this list, with Ukraine’s Yana Klochkova making the cut in the 400 individual medley. En route to the gold medal, Klochkova set a world record of 4:33.59. She also left Sydney with gold in the 200 IM and silver in the 800 freestyle. Klochkova owns the 24th slot in the 400 IM all-time rankings.
Honorable Mention
In 2006, Leisel Jones clocked 1:05.09 in the 100 breaststroke and 2:20.54 in the 200 breaststroke. Those efforts place the Australian 11th and 12th in those event histories.
