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Phoebe Bacon misses Olympic medal in 200m backstroke by 0.04 seconds

Joe Nelson|
Aug 1, 2024; Nanterre, France; Phoebe Bacon (USA) in the women’s 200-meter backstroke semifinal during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2024; Nanterre, France; Phoebe Bacon (USA) in the women’s 200-meter backstroke semifinal during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports | Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Phoebe Bacon missed the podium in the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Paris Olympics on Friday. The Wisconsin Badgers' national champion swimmer was four one-hundredths from taking the bronze medal.

Bacon's biggest challengers, defending gold medalist Kaylee McKeown of Australia and Minnesota native Regan Smith, finished first and second. Canada's Kyle Masse won the bronze by the slimmest of margins over Bacon.

McKeown touched the wall in 2:03.73 to set a new Olympic record. Smith checked in with a time of 2:04.26, followed by Masse at 2:05.57 and Bacon at 2:05.61.

Bacon, participating in her second Olympics, entered the 200m backstroke final as the 2024 NCAA 200m backstroke champion.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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