Swimming at the 1920 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke
The men's 100 metre backstroke was a swimming event held as part of the swimming at the 1920 Summer Olympics programme. It was the fourth appearance of the event.
A total of 12 swimmers from six nations competed in the event, which was held on Sunday, August 22 and on Monday, August 23, 1920.Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records prior to the 1920 Summer Olympics.
In the first semi-final Ray Kegeris bettered the Olympic record to 1:17.8 minutes. In the second semi-final Warren Kealoha set a new world record with 1:14.8 minutes.Results
Semifinals
Sunday, August 22, 1920: The fastest two in each semi-final and the faster of the two third-placed swimmer advanced to the final.
Semifinal 1
| Place | Swimmer | Time | Qual. |
| 1 | | 1:17.8 | Q OR |
| 2 | | 1:19.0 | Q |
| 3 | | 1:28.0 | |
| 4 | | 1:28.2 | |
| 5 | | | |
| 6 | | | |
Semifinal 2
| Place | Swimmer | Time | Qual. |
| 1 | | 1:14.8 | Q WR |
| 2 | | 1:18.6 | Q |
| 3 | | 1:20.4 | q |
| 4 | | 1:26.0 | |
| 5 | | | |
| 6 | | | |
Final
Monday, August 23, 1920:
| Place | Swimmer | Time |
| 1 | | 1:15.2 |
| 2 | | 1:16.8 |
| 3 | | 1:19.0 |
| 4 | | 1:19.4 |
| 5 | | |
Otto Fahr
Harry Hebner