These are the official results of the men's 200 metres event at the 1983 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. There were a total number of 57 participating athletes, with eight qualifying heats and the final held on 14 August 1983. At 22 years, 218 days old, gold medallist Smith was the youngest ever world champion for the men's 200 metres until 2019, when Noah Lyles, aged 22 years and 75 days, won the 2019 title.

Records

Existing records at the start of the event.

Results

Qualifying heats

The qualifying heats took place on 12 August, with the 57 athletes involved being split into 8 heats. The first 3 athletes in each heat ( Q ) and the next 8 fastest ( q ) qualified for the quarter-finals.

Quarterfinals

The qualifying heats took place on 12 August, with the 32 athletes involved being split into 4 heats. The first 4 athletes in each heat ( Q ) qualified for the semifinals.

Semifinals

The semifinals took place on 13 August, with the 16 athletes involved being split into 2 heats. The first 4 athletes in each heat ( Q ) qualified for the final.

Final

The final took place on August 14. Wind: +1.2 m/s