Career
He holds the long course and short course world records in the 200 meters freestyle, and the long course world record in the 400 meters freestyle. With the times over 400 m freestyle (3:4769) and 200 m freestyle (NR in 1:4637) Biedermann managed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing. At the Olympics, he placed fifth in the 200 m freestyle final (1:4600) and 17th overall in the 400 m freestyle (3:4803).
2009 Long Course & 2010 Short Course World Championships
On 28 July he claimed his second gold in the 200 m freestyle, defeating Michael Phelps in a world record time of 1:42.00 seconds and cutting more than four seconds off of his time since last year.
In 2008, Biedermann was ranked 9th in the world in the 200 m freestyle and 21st in the world in the 400 m freestyle. In the 200m freestyle, although he was the world record holder, Biedermann placed only 5th.
He was over a second behind the first-place finisher Ryan Lochte. 2011 Long Course World Championships
Biedermann collected bronze medals in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 4 × 100 m medley relay, as well as finishing 4th in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay.
He was out touched by Michael Phelps by 0.09s in the individual 200m freestyle, however getting the better of him in the relay lead off leg beating Phelps by 0.33s.
Personal bests
200 m freestyle: 1:42.00 (28 July 2009) WR
400 m freestyle: 3:40.07 (26 July 2009) WR
2012 Summer Olympics
At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he competed in the 200 m freestyle, finishing 5th (06 seconds from a medal), the 400 m freestyle, and was part of the German 4 x 200 m freestyle team that finished 4th. Since March 2010 he has a relationship with swimmer Britta Steffen
Paul Biedermann is a "Lords of Metal Famous Headbanger".