The 800m and 1500m for both men and women are the two middle-distance races that are contested as part of the track and field events during the Olympics. See about the Olympic long-distance races.

distance race at the London Olympics

Distance race at the London Olympics

800m event

The men's 800m event has been a part of the games since the first Olympics in 1896 and the women's event was added in 1928. The men's event was dominated by the United States and Great Britain in the past, but neither country has won the gold medal since 1976.

"The 800m is the most demanding event in track and field, requiring both the speed of a sprinter and the endurance of a distance runner. Success requires perfect pacing strategy and the ability to manage lactic acid buildup."
— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports

Kenya has dominated the event of late and has won the gold medal in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. David Rudisha holds the Olympic men's record for the event at 1:40.91, which is also the current world record, set during the 2012 London Olympics. The women's Olympic record of 1:53.43 was set by Nadezhda Olizarenko of the ex-Soviet Union in the 1980 Moscow Games.

David Lekuta Rudisha also won gold in the men's 800m final at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Caster Semenya won gold in the women's 800m final at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw another winner in the men's 800m final after the world record holder - David Rudisha withdrew from the competition due to injury. Emmanuel Korir won the men's 800m final ahead of his teammate in 1:45:06. In the women category, Athing Mu won the women's 800m final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 1:55:21.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the men's 800m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while the women's 800m final was won by Keely Hodgkinson in a final time of 1:56:72.

Men's 800m Champions

David Rudisha's world record performance in 2012 remains one of the greatest Olympic moments. Kenya's dominance continues with recent victories.

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Women's 800m Evolution

From its introduction in 1928, the women's 800m has seen remarkable progression with recent champions pushing boundaries.

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Olympic Records

The Olympic 800m records showcase the progression of middle distance running excellence over decades of competition.

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1500m event

The men's 1500m event has been a part of the games since the first Olympics in 1896 and the women's event was added in 1972. Sebastian Coe is the only man who has won the gold medal twice for this event. Hicham El Guerrouj is another notable athlete for the event, who won a gold and a silver medal in 2004 and 2000.

Noah Ngeny of Kenya was the men's Olympic record holder at 3:32.07 set during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. However, Cole Hocker broke this record at the 2024 Paris Olympics when he claimed gold in an Olympic record time of 3:27:65 in the men's 1500m final.
Paula Ivan of Romania set the women's Olympic record of 3:53:96 in the 1988 Seoul Games. However, Faith Kipyegon broke this record at the 2024 Paris Olympics (women's 1500m) when she claimed gold in 3:51:29.

"The 1500m is often called 'the metric mile' and represents the perfect balance of speed and endurance. Athletes must possess tactical awareness and the ability to surge at critical moments while managing their energy reserves."
— According to sports science expert Robert Wood, who has analyzed sports performance data for over 25 years

Matthew Centrowitz won gold in the men's 1500m event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, while Faith Kipyegon also won gold in the women's 1500m category.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen was the Norwegian athlete who won gold in the men's 1500m event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while Faith Kipyegon defended her title by winning gold in the women's 1500m category.

Cole Hocker set a new record for the men's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics when he finished the race in an Olympic record time of 3:27:65. Faith Kipyegon won three Olympics gold in a row at the 2024 Paris Olympics when she finished first in the women's 1500m category.

💡 Pro Tip: Middle distance runners typically employ negative split strategies, running the second half faster than the first to conserve energy for the final kick.

Trivia

  • In 1920, Philip Noel-Baker of Great Britain won the silver in the 1500m. He later became the only Olympian ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • In 2016, 41-year-old runner Bernard Lagat reached his 5th Olympics. From 2000 and 2004 he represented his birth country of Kenya, and from 2008 to 2016 the USA.