Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metres

The women's 200 metres sprint event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 4 & 7. The favorite would have been Republic of China's Chi Cheng, who set world records in the 200 meters and 220 yards distances in 1970. She suffered a career ending injury at the end of 1970. An attempted surgery in 1971, failed. The top 3 ranked women in the world in 1971, were the 3 women on the podium in Munich. European Champion Renate Stecher (GDR), Commonwealth Champion Raelene Boyle (AUS), and the defending Champion Irena Szewinska of Poland.

Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metres

The women's 200 metres sprint event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 4 & 7. The favorite would have been Republic of China's Chi Cheng, who set world records in the 200 meters and 220 yards distances in 1970. She suffered a career ending injury at the end of 1970. An attempted surgery in 1971, failed. The top 3 ranked women in the world in 1971, were the 3 women on the podium in Munich. European Champion Renate Stecher (GDR), Commonwealth Champion Raelene Boyle (AUS), and the defending Champion Irena Szewinska of Poland.