Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics – Men's 800 metres

This was the third appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. None of the runners from 1900 returned. There was no clear favorite, "but Jim Lightbody . . . was not one of the prominent names mentioned."{{cite web |url=https://www.olympedia.org/results/56129 |work=Olympedia |title=800 metres, Men |access-date=6 August 2020}} Johannes Runge of Germany had run the 800 metres handicap event earlier in the day due to confusion over English instructions.

Canada appeared in the event for the first time. The United States and Germany each made their second appearance, matching France, Great Britain, and Hungary for the most among all nations.

In contrast to the previous editions in 1896 and 1900, the 1904 version of the 800 metres consisted of a single round rather than heats and a final.

The track was a cinder track {{frac|1|3}} mile (536.448m) in length, with one long straightaway.{{cite web |url=http://www.olympedia.org/editions/3/sports/ATH |work=Olympedia |title=Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics |access-date=3 September 2001}}

These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1904 Summer Olympics.

{{World Olympic Record

| world_athlete = {{flagathlete|Charles Kilpatrick|USA}}

| world_mark = 1:53.4 (y)(u)

| world_place = New York City, United States

| world_date = 21 September 1895

| world_ref =

| olympic_athlete = {{flagIOCathlete|David Hall|USA|1900 Summer}}

| olympic_mark = 1:59.0(*)

| olympic_place = Paris, France

| olympic_date = 14 July 1900

| olympic_ref =

}}

(*) This track was 500 metres in circumference.

Jim Lightbody set a new Olympic record with 1:56.0.

Cohn led early, with Breitkreutz and Runge behind him. Lightbody started slowest. About halfway, Runge took the lead and Lightbody began to push forward. Breitkreutz took the lead over Runge (who had also run the 800 metres handicap event earlier in the day due to confusion), with Underwood second, before the final straight. Lightbody finished his last-to-first push, winning by 2 yards over Valentine, who also made a late push.

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web | last = Wudarski | first = Pawel | year = 1999 | url = http://olympic.w.interia.pl/ | title = Wyniki Igrzysk Olimpijskich | access-date = 13 December 2006|language=pl}}

{{Olympics800metres}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions 800 m Men}}

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Category:Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics

Category:800 metres at the Olympics