World Record: Rikke Pedersen (DEN), 2:19.11 – August 1, 2013 in Barcelona (ESP)
Championships Record: Rikke Pedersen (DEN), 2:19.11 – August 1, 2013 in Barcelona (ESP)
Best performance of the current season (since January 2013): Rikke Pedersen (DEN), 2:19.11 – August 1, in Barcelona (ESP)
2003-2011 winners in this event: 2003 – Amanda Beard (USA, 2:22.99); 2005 – Leisel Jones (AUS, 2:21.72); 2007 – Leisel Jones (AUS, 2:21.84); 2009 – Nadja Higl (SRB, 2:21.62); 2011 – Rebecca Soni (USA, 2:21.47)
The best in this event (1. most victories or 2. fastest time): Agnes Kovacs (HUN, 1998 & 2001) and Leisel Jones (AUS, 2005 & 2007)
2012 Olympic podium: 1. Rebecca Soni (USA, 2:19.59), 2. Satomi Suzuki (JPN, 2:20.72), 3. Yulia Efimova (RUS, 2:20.92)
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QUOTES:
Gold medal winner: Yulia Efimova (RUS)
On winning her first gold in this event: "In Rome, I was younger, I was so excited when I got my first medal. Now I'm more experienced and to win the gold is much better."
"I wanted to beat the World Record tonight. In the semi final, Rikke Pedersen was swimming so fast, I was swimming side by side with her but tonight, the pace was different and maybe that's why I couldn't break the World Record."
Silver medal winner: Rikke Pedersen (DEN)
On not getting the gold: "I have mixed feelings, I was really pleased about yesterday's World Record. In this final, I was fighting for the gold but I got silver, I'm sure that when I get home it'll be positive and I'll have good memories."
"I would have loved to get the gold medal instead of the World Record. I don't think the World Record will stay long, we have strong girls in breaststroke, I'm sure it will bring the event to a whole new level."
"It's my first medal at World Championships so I really appreciate where I am right now and I'll keep fighting."
Bronze medal winner: Micah Lawrence (USA)
"It's my first international meet and it's been really cool to watch all my teammates do well so I told myself I want to do well as well."