The women's 800 metres at the 2024 Summer Olympics was held in four rounds at the Stade de France in Paris, France, between 2 and 5 August 2024. This was the eighteenth time that the women's 800 metres is contested at the Summer Olympics. A total of 48 athletes will be able to qualify for the event by entry standard or ranking.
Summary
Athing Mu was the defending champion and 2022 World Champion, but she tripped at the US Trials and couldn't qualify. The 2024 world leader, Keely Hodgkinson had reigned supreme in Europe indoors and out, but took silver at all other major championships since 2020, displaced by Mu in the World Championships of 2022, and in both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and in the 2023 World Championships by Mary Moraa, though the latter had been the first time that Hodgkinson had beaten Mu at a Championship. Most of the remaining players apart from Mu had made it to Paris, but a number, notable Hodgkinson's Great Britain teammate Jemma Reekie, failed to make the final.
Tsige Duguma started the final on the far outside, Lane 9. After reaching the break line, she cut sharply to lane one and the lead. As the other competitors merged, Hodgkinson joined the lead on the outside, with Duguma hugging the rail. Through the second turn Moraa moved in to Hodgkinson's outer shoulder. Coming onto the home stretch the first time, Hodgkinson took the lead, running on the outside of lane 1, Duguma on the inside and Moraa on the outside forming an arrowhead on the front. The three stayed largely in formation at the front until they went down the backstretch when Moraa moved ahead of Duguma and around the turn, up to Hodgkinson's shoulder looking to out-sprint her. Instead, Hodgkinson pulled away from the whole field down the home stretch to victory. Moraa couldn't keep up, but Duguma came back to sprint past Moraa before the finish for silver, with Moraa left with the bronze.[2][3]
Duguma's silver medal was the fist for Ethiopia in the history of the event. Hodgkinson's gold was Great Britain's third gold, after Ann Packer, 60 years before and Kelly Holmes, 20 years previously.
Background
The event was first held in 1928, making it the first distance running event for women. However it was not held again until 1960, since when it has been a permanent fixture.
For the women's 800 metres event, the qualification period was between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.[7] 48 athletes were able to qualify for the event, with a maximum of three athletes per nation, by running the entry standard of 1:59.30 seconds or faster or by their World Athletics Ranking for this event.[7]
Results
Heats
The heats were held on 2 August, starting at 19:45 (UTC+2) in the evening.[1] First 3 in each heat (Q) advance to the semi-final, all others (Re) advance to repechage round (except DNS, DNF, DQ).
The semi-finals were held on 4 August, starting at 20:40 (UTC+2) in the evening.[1] Qualification: First 2 in each heat (Q) and next 2 fastest (q) advance to the final
