Objective:

To analyze performance and pacing in 200 m butterfly among the semifinalists in 15th FINA World Championship.

Methods:

Data were obtained from FINA website. Thirty two semifinals performances were divided in four groups: eight male classified (G1M), eight male unclassified (G2M), eight female classified (G1F), and eight female unclassified (G2F). Swimming velocity for each 50 m partial was estimated by the quotient between distance and time. Coefficients of variation of the four 50 m partials were compared among groups (ANOVA). Effects sizes were identified by the Cohen's d. Total time (performance) was correlated with each 50 m partial time (Pearson's r).

Results:

Coefficients of variation were lower for the groups with best performance in both sexes (G1F and G1M) and in females. The third partial presented the larger correlation with overall performance. Average swimming velocity decreased along the event.

Conclusion:

The best pacing is to maintain swimming velocity constant within each 50 m over the 200 m and the training should be directed to the conditional improvement of this split (150‐200 m).