800m is a common track running event. It is the short common middle distance. The 800 meters is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. It was included in the first women's track programme in 1928, but suspended until 1960 because of shock at the exhaustion it caused the competitors. By contrast, without today's training regimes, male competitors of the day were expected to run themselves to exhaustion in competition. Athletics, also known as track and field or track and field athletics, is a collection of sport events. ... Middle distance track events are track races longer than sprints up to (and arguably including) 5000 meters. ...

Tactics

In a modern competition, the first 100m is run in lanes, after which competitors may break for the inside without deliberately obstructing or pushing another competitor. Running flat out for this distance is impossible and tactics can be a factor in reaching the finish line first. Running in the lead is often considered a disadvantage as trailing runners can choose when to accelerate past the leader, and the effect of wind resistance. Runners not in first place on the inside can find themselves boxed if other runners start to overtake them. Running in last place is not recommended as there may be too much ground to make up when the final sprint for the finish starts.

In top class races, the lane start usually ensures a brisk pace for the first 200m. Occasionally, no one will be happy to lead and the field will bunch for the remainder of the first lap leaving a sprint on the second lap. More often, one runner will ensure a fast first lap and the winner will be the one who slows least on the second lap, despite the appearance of sprinting at the finish. However, the occasional 800-meter runner is able to produce a world-class 800 with even laps, or even negative splits.

Records

800m runners are often fast enough to run in the 4x400 m relay but only Alberto Juantorena and Jarmila Kratochvilova have won major international titles at 400m and 800m. Competing successfully at 800m and 1500m is more common. The 4x400m relay or long relay is an athletics track event in which teams comprise four runners who each complete 400m or 1 lap. ... Alberto Juantorena Danger (born December 3, 1950 is a former Cuban athlete. ... Jarmila Kratochvílová was a late-developing Czech 400m runner whose career was dogged by injury and illness. ...

World Record for men:

• Wilson Kipketer 1:41.11 Köln 24 August 1997

World Record for women: Wilson Kipketer (born December 12, 1972 in Kapchemoyiwo, Kenya into the Kalenjin tribe) is a middle distance runner. ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Jarmila Kratochvílová 1:53.28 München 26 July 1983

Jarmila Kratochvílová was a late-developing Czech 400m runner whose career was dogged by injury and illness. ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Topp ten All time athletes on the 800 meters - men

Updated by June 10th, 2005

Wilson Kipketer (born December 12, 1972 in Kapchemoyiwo, Kenya into the Kalenjin tribe) is a middle distance runner. ... Sebastian Newbold Coe, Baron Coe, OBE (born September 29, 1956) is a British athlete, and Conservative Party politician. ... Joaquim Carvalho Cruz (March 12, 1963) is a former Brazilian athlete, winner of the 800 m at the 1984 Summer Olympics. ... Vebjørn Rodal (born September 16, 1972) is a former Norwegian middle distance athlete, his career high point coming when he won the gold medal in the 800 m at the 1996 Summer Olympics. ...

Topp ten All time athletes on the 800 meters - women

Updated by June 10th, 2005