Athletics At The 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 Metres
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The men's 1500 metres event at the
2016 Summer Olympics The 2016 Summer Olympics ( pt, Jogos Olímpicos de Verão de 2016), officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad ( pt, Jogos da XXXI Olimpíada) and also known as Rio 2016, was an international multi-sport event held from 5 to 21 August 20 ...
took place between 16–20 August at the
Olympic Stadium ''Olympic Stadium'' is the name usually given to the main stadium of an Olympic Games. An Olympic stadium is the site of the opening and closing ceremonies. Many, though not all, of these venues actually contain the words ''Olympic Stadium'' as ...
in
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
,
Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
. Forty-two athletes from 26 nations competed. The event was won by Matthew Centrowitz, Jr. of the United States, the nation's first title in the event since 1908 and third overall.
Taoufik Makhloufi Taoufik Makhloufi ( ar, توفيق مخلوفي; born 29 April 1988) is an Algerian athlete who specialises in middle-distance running. He became the 1500 metres Olympic champion at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. In 2016, Makhloufi ...
and
Nick Willis Nicholas Ian Willis (born 25 April 1983) is a New Zealand middle distance runner and the country's only two-time Olympic medalist in the 1500 metres. He won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in R ...
became the seventh and eighth men to win a second medal in the event, with Willis the only one to do so in non-consecutive Games.


Summary

Asbel Kiprop Asbel Kipruto Kiprop (born 30 June 1989) is a Kenyan middle-distance runner, who specialises in the 1500 metres. He was awarded the 1500 m gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics after the original winner, Rashid Ramzi, tested positive for ...
entered as the highest ranked athlete of the year with his run of 3:29.33 minutes, and was the gold medallist at the
2008 Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad () and also known as Beijing 2008 (), were an international multisport event held from 8 to 24 August 2008, in Beijing, China. A total of 10,942 athletes from 204 Nati ...
and the previous three
World Championships in Athletics The World Athletics Championships (until 2019 known as the World Championships in Athletics) are a biennial athletics competition organized by World Athletics (formerly IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federations). Alongside the Ol ...
. In his race immediately prior to the Olympics, however, he had been beaten by his compatriot
Ronald Kwemoi Ronald Chebolei Kwemoi ( ja, ロナルド ケモイ; born 19 September 1995) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in cross country running and track running events. He specialises in the 1500 metres and holds a personal best of 3:28 ...
and Elijah Motonei Manangoi (second and third in the seasonal rankings). The reigning Olympic champion from 2012,
Taoufik Makhloufi Taoufik Makhloufi ( ar, توفيق مخلوفي; born 29 April 1988) is an Algerian athlete who specialises in middle-distance running. He became the 1500 metres Olympic champion at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. In 2016, Makhloufi ...
of Algeria, was fourth on the world lists, but faced the challenge of also running the
800 m The 800 metres, or meters ( US spelling), is a common track running event. It is the shortest commonly run middle-distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of an outdoor (400-metre) track and has been an Olympic event since the ...
which overlapped on the programme. The next highest ranked runners,
Abdalaati Iguider Reda Abdalaati Iguider ( ar, عبد العاطي إيكدير; born 25 March 1987) is a Moroccan runner who specializes in the 1500 metres. Over 1500 metres, he is the bronze medalist from the London Olympic Games and the 2012 World Indoor Champ ...
and Ayanleh Souleiman, also entered for doubles. In the first round the main protagonists progressed, although a notable elimination was reigning European champion Filip Ingebrigtsen, who was disqualified for impeding
Charlie Grice Charles Da'Vall Grice (born 7 November 1993), informally known as Charlie Grice, is a British middle distance athlete. Athletics career Grice started out as both a footballer, playing at county level, and an athlete, but balancing them both le ...
and
Homiyu Tesfaye Homiyu Tesfaye Heyi (born 23 June 1993) is an Ethiopian-Germany, German middle-distance runner, middle- and long-distance runner. After claiming political asylum he began competing for Germany and came fifth in the 1500 metres at the 2013 World ...
(both runners were advanced as a result).
İlham Tanui Özbilen İlham Tanui Özbilen (born William Biwott Tanui on 5 March 1990 in Kocholwo, Kenya) is a middle distance runner now representing Turkey. The tall athlete weighs . He is coached by Kenyan Patrick Sang. Career in Kenya Özbilen, then competing ...
of Turkey (a 2012 World Indoor medallist) was knocked out, having shown poor form that year.
Jakub Holuša Jakub Holuša (, born 20 February 1988) is a former Czech middle-distance runner. He represented his country in the men's 800 meters at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. At the 2016 Olympics, he competed in the 1500 meters. Running career Holu ...
of the Czech Republic was fastest in the heats with 3:38.31 minutes, leading a race which saw ten men run under 3:40. Although the semi-finals produced slower times, heats leader Holuša was among those eliminated. Former European champion
Henrik Ingebrigtsen Henrik Ingebrigtsen (born 24 February 1991) is a Norwegian middle-distance runner who competes mainly in the 1500 metres. He represented Norway at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. His younger brothers, Filip Ingebrigtsen and Jakob Ingebrigtsen ...
and reigning
African Games The African Games, formally known as the All-Africa Games or the Pan African Games, are a continental multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the African Union (AU) with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (AN ...
champion
Mekonnen Gebremedhin Mekonnen Gebremedhin Woldegiorg ( am, መኮንን ገብረመድኅን; born 11 October 1988, in Addis Ababa) is an Ethiopian middle distance runner, who specializes in the 1500 metres. He is known for consistently placing close to the top thr ...
also failed to make the final and Kenya's Elijah Manangoi did not start after suffering a hamstring injury. The two remaining Kenyans, Kiprop and Kwemoi won the two semi-final races. American
Robby Andrews Robert Adrian Andrews (born March 29, 1991) is an American middle distance runner who specializes in the 800 and 1500 meters. While competing with University of Virginia he won the men's 800 meters at the 2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Fi ...
initially made the grade, with his typical fast finish, but as he made his way on the inside, he initially tried to take open space between Gebremedhin and the rail, but Gebremedhin defended his position and Andrews had nowhere to go except inside the rail, where he executed the pass to get into the final qualifying spot. He was later disqualified for stepping off the track.


Final

At the start, nobody wanted the lead, so the role defaulted to Americans Matthew Centrowitz and
Ben Blankenship Ben Blankenship (born December 15, 1988) is an American middle distance runner. He is a world record holder as a member of the 2015 USA Distance medley relay team, of which he ran the 1600-meter anchor leg. Running career Elementary school Bla ...
sandwiching
David Bustos David Bustos González (born 25 August 1990) is a Spanish runner who specializes in the 800 metres and 1500 metres races. Personal life Bustos first played hockey and football, and trained in swimming. He took up athletics only in high school, ...
.
Kickers Kickers is a youth brand created in 1970 in France that produces a wide range of footwear and clothing. Kickers was bought in 2007 by the Royer group. Kickers are primarily popular amongst British school children, with Kickers 'Lo' style shoe ...
Asbel Kiprop Asbel Kipruto Kiprop (born 30 June 1989) is a Kenyan middle-distance runner, who specialises in the 1500 metres. He was awarded the 1500 m gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics after the original winner, Rashid Ramzi, tested positive for ...
,
Taoufik Makhloufi Taoufik Makhloufi ( ar, توفيق مخلوفي; born 29 April 1988) is an Algerian athlete who specialises in middle-distance running. He became the 1500 metres Olympic champion at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. In 2016, Makhloufi ...
and Ayanleh Souleiman went to the back. The first lap was 66.83, a virtual crawl for these athletes. During the second lap,
Nick Willis Nicholas Ian Willis (born 25 April 1983) is a New Zealand middle distance runner and the country's only two-time Olympic medalist in the 1500 metres. He won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in R ...
drifted to the front to replace Blankenship next to Bustos and Centrowitz. On the homestretch, Kiprop moved out to lane 2 and loped up toward the front. Reacting,
Ronald Kwemoi Ronald Chebolei Kwemoi ( ja, ロナルド ケモイ; born 19 September 1995) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in cross country running and track running events. He specialises in the 1500 metres and holds a personal best of 3:28 ...
crashed to the track as Souleiman was drifting out to find some running room at the back of the pack and Kwemoi caught Souleiman's back kick. The pace was so slow, Kwemoi caught back up to the runners in less than 100 metres. The second lap was even slower at 69.76. Down the next backstretch, Kiprop moved aggressively to challenge Centrowitz at the front, but Centrowitz wouldn't let him by, holding his position on the curb. Behind him, Willis and Blankenship were getting tangled up in a similar situation. Coming around the turn, Souleiman tried to pass again and was successful, taking the lead position on the home stretch. Instead of charging away, Souleiman slowed down. Centrowitz took the small gap next to the rail and squeezed through, deftly slipping his elbow and shoulder in front of Souleiman. Just at the bell, Makhloufi hit the front outside of Centrowitz. But on the penultimate turn, Centrowitz would not let Makhloufi by holding the inside and the lead. Makhloufi fell in behind Centrowitz. Along the backstretch, Kiprop loped to the front again. Centrowitz held him off, making him run to the outside of the turn. Behind Kiprop, then lining up beside him,
Abdalaati Iguider Reda Abdalaati Iguider ( ar, عبد العاطي إيكدير; born 25 March 1987) is a Moroccan runner who specializes in the 1500 metres. Over 1500 metres, he is the bronze medalist from the London Olympic Games and the 2012 World Indoor Champ ...
, Kiprop and Makhloufi, behind them Willis and Souleiman, all ready to pounce coming off the turn. Kiprop made his move, then began to tread water moving backwards instead of gaining. On the outside, Makhloufi was gaining but was running out of real estate. Iguider was moving backwards with Kiprop, Willis beat Souleiman to the pounce and was chasing Makhloufi. Nobody passed Centrowitz as he kept his advantage all the way across the finish line, finishing the final lap in 50.62. Makhloufi was a meter back for silver, Willis another meter back holding off a diving Souleiman at the line for bronze. The winning time of 3:50.00 was the slowest since
1932 Events January * January 4 – The British authorities in India arrest and intern Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel. * January 9 – Sakuradamon Incident (1932), Sakuradamon Incident: Korean nationalist Lee Bong-chang fails in his effort ...
. Centrowitz became the first American to win the event since
Mel Sheppard Melvin Whinfield "Peerless Mel" Sheppard (September 5, 1883 – January 4, 1942) was an American athlete, member of the Irish American Athletic Club, and winner of four gold medals and one silver medal at the 1908 Summer Olympi ...
in 1908. The medals were presented by
Nawal El Moutawakel Nawal El Moutawakel (Amazigh: ⵏⴰⵡⴰⵍ ⵍⵎⵓⵜⴰⵡⴰⵇⵇⵉⵍ ; ar, نوال المتوكل; born 15 April 1962) is a Moroccan former hurdler, who won the inaugural women's 400 metres hurdles event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, ...
,
IOC The International Olympic Committee (IOC; french: link=no, Comité international olympique, ''CIO'') is a non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is constituted in the form of an association under the Swiss ...
member Member may refer to: * Military jury, referred to as "Members" in military jargon * Element (mathematics), an object that belongs to a mathematical set * In object-oriented programming, a member of a class ** Field (computer science), entries in ...
, Morocco and
Sebastian Coe Sebastian Newbold Coe, Baron Coe, (born 29 September 1956), often referred to as Seb Coe, is a British politician and former track and field athlete. As a middle-distance runner, Coe won four Olympic medals, including 1500 metres gold medal ...
, President of the
IAAF World Athletics, formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation (from 1912 to 2001) and International Association of Athletics Federations (from 2001 to 2019, both abbreviated as the IAAF) is the international governing body for ...
and 1980-4 double gold medalist in this event.


Background

This was the 28th appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. Eight of the twelve finalists from 2012 returned: gold medalist
Taoufik Makhloufi Taoufik Makhloufi ( ar, توفيق مخلوفي; born 29 April 1988) is an Algerian athlete who specialises in middle-distance running. He became the 1500 metres Olympic champion at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. In 2016, Makhloufi ...
of Algeria, bronze medalist
Abdalaati Iguider Reda Abdalaati Iguider ( ar, عبد العاطي إيكدير; born 25 March 1987) is a Moroccan runner who specializes in the 1500 metres. Over 1500 metres, he is the bronze medalist from the London Olympic Games and the 2012 World Indoor Champ ...
of Morocco, fourth-place finisher Matthew Centrowitz, Jr. of the United States, fifth-place finisher
Henrik Ingebrigtsen Henrik Ingebrigtsen (born 24 February 1991) is a Norwegian middle-distance runner who competes mainly in the 1500 metres. He represented Norway at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. His younger brothers, Filip Ingebrigtsen and Jakob Ingebrigtsen ...
of Norway, sixth-place finisher
Mekonnen Gebremedhin Mekonnen Gebremedhin Woldegiorg ( am, መኮንን ገብረመድኅን; born 11 October 1988, in Addis Ababa) is an Ethiopian middle distance runner, who specializes in the 1500 metres. He is known for consistently placing close to the top thr ...
of Ethiopia, eighth-place finisher
İlham Tanui Özbilen İlham Tanui Özbilen (born William Biwott Tanui on 5 March 1990 in Kocholwo, Kenya) is a middle distance runner now representing Turkey. The tall athlete weighs . He is coached by Kenyan Patrick Sang. Career in Kenya Özbilen, then competing ...
of Turkey, ninth-place finisher
Nick Willis Nicholas Ian Willis (born 25 April 1983) is a New Zealand middle distance runner and the country's only two-time Olympic medalist in the 1500 metres. He won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in R ...
of New Zealand, and twelfth-place finisher
Asbel Kiprop Asbel Kipruto Kiprop (born 30 June 1989) is a Kenyan middle-distance runner, who specialises in the 1500 metres. He was awarded the 1500 m gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics after the original winner, Rashid Ramzi, tested positive for ...
of Kenya. Kiprop and Willis had won gold and silver in 2008; Iguider had been in the 2008 final, as well. Kiprop was the three-time reigning world champion; he and Makhloufi were favored in this race. East Timor, South Sudan, and the Refugee Olympic Team each made their first appearance in the event. The United States made its 27th appearance, most of all nations (having missed only the boycotted 1980 Games).


Qualification

A
National Olympic Committee A National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, NOCs are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games ...
(NOC) could enter up to 3 qualified athletes in the men's 1500 metres event if all athletes meet the entry standard during the qualifying period. (The limit of 3 has been in place since the 1930 Olympic Congress.) The qualifying standard was 3:36.20. The qualifying period was from 1 May 2015 to 11 July 2016. The qualifying time standards could be obtained in various meets during the given period that have the approval of the
IAAF World Athletics, formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation (from 1912 to 2001) and International Association of Athletics Federations (from 2001 to 2019, both abbreviated as the IAAF) is the international governing body for ...
. Indoor and outdoor meets were accepted. NOCs could also use their universality place—each NOC could enter one male athlete regardless of time if they had no male athletes meeting the entry standard for an athletics event—in the 1500 metres.


Competition format

The competition was again three rounds (used previously in 1952 and since 1964). The "fastest loser" system introduced in 1964 was used for both the first round and semifinals. The 12-man semifinals and finals introduced in 1984 and used since 1992 were retained. There were three heats in the first round, each with 14 or 15 runners (before withdrawals). The top six runners in each heat, along with the next six fastest overall, advanced to the semifinals. The 24 semifinalists were divided into two semifinals, each with 12 runners (13 each after two runners were advanced due to obstruction, though one was back down to 12 after a withdrawal). The top five men in each semifinal, plus the next two fastest overall, advanced to the 12-man final (again, 13 after a runner was advanced due to obstruction).


Records

Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows. No new records were set during the competition.


Schedule

All times are
Brasília Time Time in Brazil is calculated using standard time, and the country (including its offshore islands) is divided into four standard time zones: UTC−02:00, UTC−03:00, UTC−04:00 and UTC−05:00. Time zones Fernando de Noronha time (UTC−0 ...
( UTC−3).


Results


Round 1


Heat 1


Heat 2


Heat 3


Semifinals


Semifinal 1


Semifinal 2


Final


Notes


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics - Men's 1500 metres Men's 1500 metres
2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
Men's events at the 2016 Summer Olympics