There is no easy way to determine the greatest backstroker of all time, but Aaron Peirsol would be right up there.

There is no easy way to determine the greatest backstroker of all time, but Aaron Peirsol would be right up there.

Just like Ian Thorpe and Aaron Peirsol, Kosuke Kitajima had competed at the 2000 Olympic Games as a 17-year-old. Unlike the other two, he had left Sydney without a medal to show for his efforts, placing fourth in the 100m breaststroke and 17th in the 200m.

Athens 2004-4x100m Medley-PEIRSOL Aaron, HANSEN Brendan, CROCKER Ian, LEZAK Jason (USA) 1st.

Athens 2004-4x100m Medley-PEIRSOL Aaron, HANSEN Brendan, CROCKER Ian, LEZAK Jason (USA) 1st.

15 Jul 2000: Aaron Peirsol swims during the Janet Evans Invitational at the McDonald's Swim Stadium in Los Angeles, California.Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport

21 Sep 2000: Gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg of the USA (centre), silver medalist Aaron Peirsol of the USA (lleft) and bronze medalist Matthew Welsh of Australia celebrate with their medals after the Mens 200m Backstroke Final during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at the Aquatic Centre, Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT

Aaron Peirsol performs an energetic swim to win gold and defend his Olympic title in 100m backstroke to the delight of the audience. The three time Olympian, finishes in world record time ahead of his compatriot Matt Grevers. Vyatchanin and Stoeckel share the bronze. This 1st place gives Piersol his 6th Olympic title. Swimming Men's 100m Backstroke Final - World Record (52.54) - Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics - Aaron Peirsol (USA), Matt Grevers (USA), Hayden Stoeckel (AUS), Arkady Vyatchanin (RUS)  

The 4x100m mixed medley relay is “100 per cent one of the most exciting races in swimming”, according to Great Britain’s double Olympic champion, Rebecca Adlington. It is quite an accolade for an event which has only just been included on the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.