800 metres - wikipedia 800 metres Athletics 800 metres 800 metres final in Daegu 2011. Men 's records World David Rudisha 1 : 40.91 ( 2012 ) Olympic David Rudisha 1 : 40.91 ( 2012 ) Women 's records World Jarmila Kratochvílová 1 : 53.28 ( 1983 ) Olympic Nadezhda Olizarenko 1 : 53.43 ( 1980 ) The 800 metres, or 800 meters ( US spelling ), is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle - distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of the track ( 400 metre track ) and has been an Olympic event since the first games in 1896. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 - metre track, therefore requiring four laps. The event was derived from the imperial measurement of a half a mile ( 880 yards ), a traditional English racing distance. Imperial racing distances were common in the United States. American high schools ( in the name of the NFHS ) were the last to convert to metric distances in 1980, following the NCAA 's conversion in 1976. Countries associated to the English system converted to metric distances after the 1966 Commonwealth Games. 800 m is 4.67 m less than half a mile. The event combines aerobic endurance with anaerobic conditioning and sprint speed. Both the aerobic and anaerobic systems are being taxed to a high extent, thus the 800 metre athlete is required to combine training between both systems. Runners in this event are often fast enough to compete in the 400 metres or the 4 × 400 metres relay but only Alberto Juantorena and Jarmila Kratochvílová have won major international titles at 400 m and 800 m. If they are so inclined, 400 m runners are usually encouraged to run the 200 metres while 800 m runners are encouraged to run the 1500 metres or long distance events. Contents 1 Training plan 2 Race tactics 3 Continental records 4 All - time top 25 fastest 4.1 Men 4.2 Women 4.2. 1 Notes 4.2. 2 Non-Legal Marks 4.3 Juniors 5 Olympic medalists 5.1 Men 5.2 Women 6 World Championships medalists 6.1 Men 6.2 Women 7 World Indoor Championships medalists 7.1 Men 7.2 Women 8 Season 's bests 8.1 Men 8.2 Women 9 References 10 External links Training plan 800 metre runners go through a different training plan. As they are planning for the year, they go through different phases. Scott Abbott a track coach of Sacramento State university stated, athlete of the 800 metre trains during the summer by doing base training, Cross Country by doing Aerobic development, and winter by doing recovery and transition track workout. Speed work out for a 800 - metre runner could be 7x 300 - 200 metre 2 minute recovery pace should be 100 - 400 metre pace. Endurance training should be 3k - 6k run, but some make their 800 - metre runners run long distance such as 8 miles or 10 miles. Race tactics The 800 m event is also known for its tactical racing techniques. Because the 800 m event is the shortest middle distance event that has all the runners converge on lane one, positioning on the cut - in and the position of the pack is critical to the outcome of the race. It is commonly believed that getting the first or second position early in the race is advantageous as these positions are not usually caught up in the pack. Olympic champions Dave Wottle, Yuriy Borzakovskiy and others have defied that logic by running a more evenly paced race, lagging behind the pack and kicking past the slowing early leaders. Often the winner of 800 m races at high levels are not determined by the strongest runner but instead by the athlete with the best positioning near the end of the race. This can lead to the most exciting aspect of the 800 m which is its high probability of an upset. Of the start of a 800 - metre race they sometimes put each athlete in different lanes. Most of the times they start the race with the runners all bunch in the starting line making it very difficult to have a good start. Two common tactics for the 800 metres are running a negative split or a positive split between laps. The positive split is widely considered to be the more effective strategy, but on occasion experienced runners have been known to use a negative split to their advantage. A positive split is achieved by running the first lap faster than the second lap, and a negative split is achieved by the opposite, running the second lap faster than the first could help. The current world record holder, David Rudisha, runs using a positive split strategy. In his 2012 Olympic race, he ran his first lap in 49.28 seconds and his second lap in 51.63 seconds. Theoretically, an even split is the most effective strategy, but it is nearly impossible to achieve due to the race 's length. Continental records Area Men Women Time ( s ) Athlete Nation Time ( s ) Athlete Nation Africa ( records ) 1 : 40.91 WR David Rudisha Kenya 1 : 54.01 Pamela Jelimo Kenya Asia ( records ) 1 : 42.79 Yusuf Saad Kamel Bahrain 1 : 55.54 Dong Liu China Europe ( records ) 1 : 41.11 Wilson Kipketer Denmark 1 : 53.28 WR Jarmila Kratochvílová Czechoslovakia North, Central America and Caribbean ( records ) 1 : 42.60 Johnny Gray United States 1 : 54.44 Ana Fidelia Quirot Cuba Oceania ( records ) 1.44. 3 + Peter Snell New Zealand 1 : 58.25 Toni Hodgkinson New Zealand South America ( records ) 1 : 41.77 Joaquim Cruz Brazil 1 : 56.58 Letitia Vriesde Suriname All - time top 25 fastest See also : 800 metres world record progression Men As of August 2016 Rank Time Athlete Nation Date Location Ref 1 : 40.91 David Rudisha Kenya 9 August 2012 London 1 : 41.11 Wilson Kipketer Denmark 24 August 1997 Cologne 1 : 41.73 Sebastian Coe United Kingdom 10 June 1981 Florence 1 : 41.73 Nijel Amos Botswana 9 August 2012 London 5 1 : 41.77 Joaquim Cruz Brazil 26 August 1984 Cologne 6 1 : 42.23 Abubaker Kaki Khamis Sudan 4 June 2010 Oslo 7 1 : 42.28 Sammy Koskei Kenya 26 August 1984 Cologne 8 1 : 42.34 Wilfred Bungei Kenya 8 September 2002 Rieti 9 1 : 42.37 Mohammed Aman Ethiopia 6 September 2013 Brussels 10 1 : 42.47 Yuriy Borzakovskiy Russia 24 August 2001 Brussels 11 1 : 42.51 Amel Tuka Bosnia and Herzegovina 17 July 2015 Fontvieille 12 1 : 42.53 Timothy Kitum Kenya 9 August 2012 London Pierre - Ambroise Bosse France 18 July 2014 Fontvieille 14 1 : 42.55 André Bucher Switzerland 17 August 2001 Zürich 15 1 : 42.58 Vebjørn Rodal Norway 31 July 1996 Atlanta 16 1 : 42.60 Johnny Gray United States 28 August 1985 Koblenz 17 1 : 42.61 Taoufik Makhloufi Algeria 15 August 2016 Rio de Janeiro 18 1 : 42.62 Patrick Ndururi Kenya 17 August 2001 Zurich 19 1 : 42.67 Alfred Kirwa Yego Kenya 6 September 2009 Rieti 20 1 : 42.69 Hezekiél Sepeng South Africa 3 September 2009 Brussels Japheth Kimutai Kenya 3 September 2009 Brussels 22 1 : 42.79 Frederick Onyancha Kenya 31 July 1996 Atlanta Yusuf Saad Kamel Bahrain 29 July 2008 Fontvieille 24 1 : 42.81 Jean - Patrick Nduwimana Burundi 17 August 2001 Zürich 25 1 : 42.82 Duane Solomon United States 9 August 2012 London Women Correct as of August 2017. Rank Time Athlete Nationality Date Place Ref 1 : 53.28 Jarmila Kratochvílová Czechoslovakia 26 July 1983 Munich 1 : 53.43 Nadezhda Olizarenko Soviet Union 27 July 1980 Moscow 1 : 54.01 Pamela Jelimo Kenya 29 August 2008 Zürich 1 : 54.44 Ana Fidelia Quirot Cuba 9 September 1989 Barcelona 5 1 : 54.81 Olga Mineyeva Soviet Union 27 July 1980 Moscow 6 1 : 54.94 Tatyana Kazankina Soviet Union 26 July 1976 Montreal 7 1 : 55.05 Doina Melinte Romania 1 August 1982 Bucharest 8 1 : 55.16 Caster Semenya South Africa 13 August 2017 London 9 1 : 55.19 Maria de Lurdes Mutola Mozambique 17 August 1994 Zürich Jolanda Čeplak Slovenia 20 July 2002 Heusden - Zolder 11 1 : 55.26 Sigrun Wodars East Germany 31 August 1987 Rome 12 1 : 55.32 Christine Wachtel East Germany 31 August 1987 Rome 13 1 : 55.42 Nikolina Shtereva Bulgaria 26 July 1976 Rome 14 1 : 55.46 Tatyana Providokhina Soviet Union 27 July 1980 Moscow 15 1 : 55.47 Francine Niyonsaba Burundi 21 July 2017 Monaco 16 1 : 55.54 Ellen Van Langen Netherlands 3 August 1992 Barcelona Dong Liu China 9 August 1993 Beijing 18 1 : 55.56 Lyubov Gurina Soviet Union 31 August 1987 Rome 19 1 : 55.60 Elfi Zinn East Germany 26 July 1976 Montreal 20 1 : 55.61 Ajeé Wilson United States 21 July 2017 Monaco 21 1 : 55.68 Ella Kovacs Romania 2 June 1985 Bucharest 22 1 : 55.69 Irina Podyalovskaya Soviet Union 22 June 1984 Kiev 23 1 : 55.74 Anita Weiss East Germany 26 July 1976 Montreal 24 1 : 55.87 Svetlana Masterkova Russia 18 June 1999 Moscow 25 1 : 55.96 Lyudmila Veselkova Soviet Union 8 September 1982 Athens Yekaterina Podkopayeva Soviet Union 27 July 1983 Leningrad Notes Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1 : 55.28 : Jarmila Kratochvílová also ran 1 : 54.68 ( 1983 ), 1 : 55.04 ( 1983 ). Ana Fidelia Quirot also ran 1 : 54.82 ( 1997 ). Nadezhda Olizarenko also ran 1 : 54.85 ( 1980 ). Pamela Jelimo also ran 1 : 54.87 ( 2008 ), 1 : 54.97 ( 2008 ), 1 : 54.99 ( 2008 ), 1 : 55.16 ( 2008 ). Olga Mineyeva also ran hand - timed 1 : 55.1 ( 1980 ). Caster Semenya also ran 1 : 55.27 ( 2017 ), 1 : 55.28 ( 2016 ). Non-legal marks Yelena Soboleva of Russia 's time of 1 : 54.85 set in Kazan on 18 July 2007 was annulled due to doping offense. Mariya Savinova of Russia 's time of 1 : 55.87 set in Tula on 5 July 2008 was annulled due to doping offence. Juniors World junior records ( 19 and under ) are held by Nijel Amos ( 1 : 41.73, London, 9 August 2012 ) and Pamela Jelimo ( 1 : 54.01, Zürich, 29 August 2008 ). Both marks coincidentally rank them as the third fastest ever. Olympic medalists Men Games Gold Silver Bronze 1896 Athens details Edwin Flack ( AUS ) Nándor Dáni ( HUN ) Dimitrios Golemis ( GRE ) 1900 Paris details Alfred Tysoe ( GBR ) John Cregan ( USA ) David Hall ( USA ) 1904 St. Louis details Jim Lightbody ( USA ) Howard Valentine ( USA ) Emil Breitkreutz ( USA ) 1908 London details Mel Sheppard ( USA ) Emilio Lunghi ( ITA ) Hanns Braun ( GER ) 1912 Stockholm details Ted Meredith ( USA ) Mel Sheppard ( USA ) Ira Davenport ( USA ) 1920 Antwerp details Albert Hill ( GBR ) Earl Eby ( USA ) Bevil Rudd ( RSA ) 1924 Paris details Douglas Lowe ( GBR ) Paul Martin ( SUI ) Schuyler Enck ( USA ) 1928 Amsterdam details Douglas Lowe ( GBR ) Erik Byléhn ( SWE ) Hermann Engelhard ( GER ) 1932 Los Angeles details Tommy Hampson ( GBR ) Alex Wilson ( CAN ) Phil Edwards ( CAN ) 1936 Berlin details John Woodruff ( USA ) Mario Lanzi ( ITA ) Phil Edwards ( CAN ) 1948 London details Mal Whitfield ( USA ) Arthur Wint ( JAM ) Marcel Hansenne ( FRA ) 1952 Helsinki details Mal Whitfield ( USA ) Arthur Wint ( JAM ) Heinz Ulzheimer ( GER ) 1956 Melbourne details Tom Courtney ( USA ) Derek Johnson ( GBR ) Audun Boysen ( NOR ) 1960 Rome details Peter Snell ( NZL ) Roger Moens ( BEL ) George Kerr ( BWI ) 1964 Tokyo details Peter Snell ( NZL ) Bill Crothers ( CAN ) Wilson Kiprugut ( KEN ) 1968 Mexico City details Ralph Doubell ( AUS ) Wilson Kiprugut ( KEN ) Tom Farrell ( USA ) 1972 Munich details Dave Wottle ( USA ) Yevhen Arzhanov ( URS ) Mike Boit ( KEN ) 1976 Montreal details Alberto Juantorena ( CUB ) Ivo Van Damme ( BEL ) Rick Wohlhuter ( USA ) 1980 Moscow details Steve Ovett ( GBR ) Sebastian Coe ( GBR ) Nikolay Kirov ( URS ) 1984 Los Angeles details Joaquim Cruz ( BRA ) Sebastian Coe ( GBR ) Earl Jones ( USA ) 1988 Seoul details Paul Ereng ( KEN ) Joaquim Cruz ( BRA ) Saïd Aouita ( MAR ) 1992 Barcelona details William Tanui ( KEN ) Nixon Kiprotich ( KEN ) Johnny Gray ( USA ) 1996 Atlanta details Vebjørn Rodal ( NOR ) Hezekiél Sepeng ( RSA ) Frederick Onyancha ( KEN ) 2000 Sydney details Nils Schumann ( GER ) Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Djabir Saïd - Guerni ( ALG ) 2004 Athens details Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) 2008 Beijing details Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) Ismail Ahmed Ismail ( SUD ) Alfred Kirwa Yego ( KEN ) 2012 London details David Rudisha ( KEN ) Nijel Amos ( BOT ) Timothy Kitum ( KEN ) 2016 Rio de Janeiro details David Rudisha ( KEN ) Taoufik Makhloufi ( ALG ) Clayton Murphy ( USA ) Women Games Gold Silver Bronze 1928 Amsterdam details Lina Radke ( GER ) Kinuye Hitomi ( JPN ) Inga Gentzel ( SWE ) 1932 -- 1956 not included in the Olympic program 1960 Rome details Lyudmila Shevtsova ( URS ) Brenda Jones ( AUS ) Ursula Donath ( EUA ) 1964 Tokyo details Ann Packer ( GBR ) Maryvonne Dupureur ( FRA ) Marise Chamberlain ( NZL ) 1968 Mexico City details Madeline Manning ( USA ) Ilona Silai ( ROU ) Mia Gommers ( NED ) 1972 Munich details Hildegard Falck ( FRG ) Nijolė Sabaitė ( URS ) Gunhild Hoffmeister ( GDR ) 1976 Montreal details Tatyana Kazankina ( URS ) Nikolina Shtereva ( BUL ) Elfi Zinn ( GDR ) 1980 Moscow details Nadezhda Olizarenko ( URS ) Olga Mineyeva ( URS ) Tatyana Providokhina ( URS ) 1984 Los Angeles details Doina Melinte ( ROU ) Kim Gallagher ( USA ) Fiţa Lovin ( ROU ) 1988 Seoul details Sigrun Wodars ( GDR ) Christine Wachtel ( GDR ) Kim Gallagher ( USA ) 1992 Barcelona details Ellen van Langen ( NED ) Liliya Nurutdinova ( EUN ) Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) 1996 Atlanta details Svetlana Masterkova ( RUS ) Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) 2000 Sydney details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Stephanie Graf ( AUT ) Kelly Holmes ( GBR ) 2004 Athens details Kelly Holmes ( GBR ) Hasna Benhassi ( MAR ) Jolanda Čeplak ( SLO ) 2008 Beijing details Pamela Jelimo ( KEN ) Janeth Jepkosgei ( KEN ) Hasna Benhassi ( MAR ) 2012 London details Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Ekaterina Poistogova ( RUS ) Vacant 2016 Rio de Janeiro details Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Francine Niyonsaba ( BDI ) Margaret Wambui ( KEN ) World Championships medalists Men Championships Gold Silver Bronze 1983 Helsinki details Willi Wülbeck ( FRG ) Rob Druppers ( NED ) Joaquim Cruz ( BRA ) 1987 Rome details Billy Konchellah ( KEN ) Peter Elliott ( GBR ) José Luíz Barbosa ( BRA ) 1991 Tokyo details Billy Konchellah ( KEN ) José Luíz Barbosa ( BRA ) Mark Everett ( USA ) 1993 Stuttgart details Paul Ruto ( KEN ) Giuseppe D'Urso ( ITA ) Billy Konchellah ( KEN ) 1995 Gothenburg details Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Arthémon Hatungimana ( BDI ) Vebjørn Rodal ( NOR ) 1997 Athens details Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Norberto Téllez ( CUB ) Rich Kenah ( USA ) 1999 Seville details Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Hezekiél Sepeng ( RSA ) Djabir Saïd - Guerni ( ALG ) 2001 Edmonton details André Bucher ( SUI ) Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) Paweł Czapiewski ( POL ) 2003 Saint - Denis details Djabir Saïd - Guerni ( ALG ) Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) 2005 Helsinki details Rashid Ramzi ( BHR ) Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) William Yiampoy ( KEN ) 2007 Osaka details Alfred Kirwa Yego ( KEN ) Gary Reed ( CAN ) Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) 2009 Berlin details Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Alfred Kirwa Yego ( KEN ) Yusuf Saad Kamel ( BHR ) 2011 Daegu details David Rudisha ( KEN ) Abubaker Kaki ( SUD ) Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) 2013 Moscow details Mohammed Aman ( ETH ) Nick Symmonds ( USA ) Ayanleh Souleiman ( DJI ) 2015 Beijing details David Rudisha ( KEN ) Adam Kszczot ( POL ) Amel Tuka ( BIH ) 2017 London details Pierre - Ambroise Bosse ( FRA ) Adam Kszczot ( POL ) Kipyegon Bett ( KEN ) Women Championships Gold Silver Bronze 1983 Helsinki details Jarmila Kratochvílová ( TCH ) Lyubov Gurina ( URS ) Yekaterina Podkopayeva ( URS ) 1987 Rome details Sigrun Wodars ( GDR ) Christine Wachtel ( GDR ) Lyubov Gurina ( URS ) 1991 Tokyo details Liliya Nurutdinova ( URS ) Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) Ella Kovacs ( ROU ) 1993 Stuttgart details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Lyubov Gurina ( RUS ) Ella Kovacs ( ROU ) 1995 Gothenburg details Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) Letitia Vriesde ( SUR ) Kelly Holmes ( GBR ) 1997 Athens details Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) Yelena Afanasyeva ( RUS ) Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) 1999 Seville details Ludmila Formanová ( CZE ) Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Svetlana Masterkova ( RUS ) 2001 Edmonton details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Stephanie Graf ( AUT ) Letitia Vriesde ( SUR ) 2003 Saint - Denis details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Kelly Holmes ( GBR ) Natalya Khrushcheleva ( RUS ) 2005 Helsinki details Zulia Calatayud ( CUB ) Hasna Benhassi ( MAR ) Tatyana Andrianova ( RUS ) 2007 Osaka details Janeth Jepkosgei ( KEN ) Hasna Benhassi ( MAR ) Mayte Martínez ( ESP ) 2009 Berlin details Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Janeth Jepkosgei ( KEN ) Jenny Meadows ( GBR ) 2011 Daegu details Mariya Savinova ( RUS ) Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Janeth Jepkosgei ( KEN ) 2013 Moscow details Eunice Sum ( KEN ) Mariya Savinova ( RUS ) Brenda Martinez ( USA ) 2015 Beijing details Maryna Arzamasava ( BLR ) Melissa Bishop ( CAN ) Eunice Sum ( KEN ) 2017 London details Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Francine Niyonsaba ( BDI ) Ajeé Wilson ( USA ) World Indoor Championships medalists Men Games Gold Silver Bronze 1985 Paris Colomán Trabado ( ESP ) Benjamín González ( ESP ) Ikem Billy ( GBR ) 1987 Indianapolis details José Luíz Barbosa ( BRA ) Vladimir Graudyn ( URS ) Faouzi Lahbi ( MAR ) 1989 Budapest details Paul Ereng ( KEN ) José Luíz Barbosa ( BRA ) Tonino Viali ( ITA ) 1991 Seville details Paul Ereng ( KEN ) Tomás de Teresa ( ESP ) Simon Hoogewerf ( CAN ) 1993 Toronto details Tom McKean ( GBR ) Charles Nkazamyampi ( BDI ) Nico Motchebon ( GER ) 1995 Barcelona details Clive Terrelonge ( JAM ) Benson Koech ( KEN ) Pavel Soukup ( CZE ) 1997 Paris details Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Mahjoub Haïda ( MAR ) Rich Kenah ( USA ) 1999 Maebashi details Johan Botha ( RSA ) Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Nico Motchebon ( GER ) 2001 Lisbon details Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) Johan Botha ( RSA ) André Bucher ( SUI ) 2003 Birmingham details David Krummenacker ( USA ) Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) 2004 Budapest details Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Rashid Ramzi ( BHR ) Osmar dos Santos ( BRA ) 2006 Moscow details Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) 2008 Valencia details Abubaker Kaki Khamis ( SUD ) Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Yusuf Saad Kamel ( BHR ) 2010 Doha details Abubaker Kaki Khamis ( SUD ) Boaz Kiplagat Lalang ( KEN ) Adam Kszczot ( POL ) 2012 Istanbul details Mohammed Aman ( ETH ) Jakub Holuša ( CZE ) Andrew Osagie ( GBR ) 2014 Sopot details Mohammed Aman ( ETH ) Adam Kszczot ( POL ) Andrew Osagie ( GBR ) 2016 Portland details Boris Berian ( USA ) Antoine Gakeme ( BDI ) Erik Sowinski ( USA ) 2018 Birmingham details Adam Kszczot ( POL ) Drew Windle ( USA ) Saúl Ordóñez ( ESP ) Women Games Gold Silver Bronze 1985 Paris Cristieana Cojocaru ( ROU ) Jane Finch ( GBR ) Mariana Simeanu ( ROU ) 1987 Indianapolis details Christine Wachtel ( GDR ) Gabriela Sedláková ( TCH ) Lyubov Kiryukhina ( URS ) 1989 Budapest details Christine Wachtel ( GDR ) Tatyana Grebenchuk ( URS ) Ellen Kiessling ( GDR ) 1991 Seville details Christine Wachtel ( GER ) Violeta Beclea ( ROU ) Ella Kovacs ( ROU ) 1993 Toronto details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Svetlana Masterkova ( RUS ) Joetta Clark ( USA ) 1995 Barcelona details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Yelena Afanasyeva ( RUS ) Letitia Vriesde ( SUR ) 1997 Paris details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Natalya Dukhnova ( BLR ) Joetta Clark ( USA ) 1999 Maebashi details Ludmila Formanová ( CZE ) Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Natalya Tsyganova ( RUS ) 2001 Lisbon details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Stephanie Graf ( AUT ) Helena Dziurova - Fuchsová ( CZE ) 2003 Birmingham details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Stephanie Graf ( AUT ) Mayte Martínez ( ESP ) 2004 Budapest details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Jolanda Čeplak ( SLO ) Joanne Fenn ( GBR ) 2006 Moscow details Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) Kenia Sinclair ( JAM ) Hasna Benhassi ( MAR ) 2008 Valencia details Tamsyn Lewis ( AUS ) Tetiana Petlyuk ( UKR ) Maria Mutola ( MOZ ) 2010 Doha details Mariya Savinova ( RUS ) Jenny Meadows ( GBR ) Alysia Johnson ( USA ) 2012 Istanbul details Pamela Jelimo ( KEN ) Nataliia Lupu ( UKR ) Erica Moore ( USA ) 2014 Sopot details Chanelle Price ( USA ) Angelika Cichocka ( POL ) Maryna Arzamasava ( BLR ) 2016 Portland details Francine Niyonsaba ( BDI ) Ajeé Wilson ( USA ) Margaret Wambui ( KEN ) 2018 Birmingham details Francine Niyonsaba ( BDI ) Ajeé Wilson ( USA ) Shelayna Oskan - Clarke ( GBR ) Known as the World Indoor Games Season 's bests Men Year Time Athlete Location 1970 1 : 44.8 Ken Swenson ( USA ) Stuttgart 1971 1 : 44.7 Dicky Broberg ( RSA ) Stellenbosch 1972 1 : 44.3 Dave Wottle ( USA ) Eugene 1973 1 : 43.7 Marcello Fiasconaro ( ITA ) Milan 1 : 43.5 Rick Wohlhuter ( USA ) Eugene 1 : 43.79 Mike Boit ( KEN ) Zürich 1976 1 : 43.50 Alberto Juantorena ( CUB ) Montreal 1977 1 : 43.44 Alberto Juantorena ( CUB ) Sofia 1978 1 : 43.84 Olaf Beyer ( GDR ) Prague 1979 1 : 42.33 Sebastian Coe ( GBR ) Oslo 1980 1 : 44.53 Don Paige ( USA ) Eugene 1981 1 : 41.73 Sebastian Coe ( GBR ) Florence 1982 1 : 44.45 Steve Cram ( GBR ) London 1 : 43.61 Steve Cram ( GBR ) Oslo 1984 1 : 41.77 Joaquim Cruz ( BRA ) Cologne 1985 1 : 42.49 Joaquim Cruz ( BRA ) Koblenz 1986 1 : 43.19 Steve Cram ( GBR ) Rieti 1 : 43.06 Billy Konchellah ( KEN ) Rome 1988 1 : 42.65 Johnny Gray ( USA ) Zürich 1989 1 : 43.16 Paul Ereng ( KEN ) Zürich 1990 1 : 42.97 Peter Elliott ( GBR ) Seville 1991 1 : 43.08 José Luiz Barbosa ( BRA ) Rieti 1992 1 : 42.80 Johnny Gray ( USA ) New Orleans 1993 1 : 43.54 Nixon Kiprotich ( KEN ) Rieti 1994 1 : 43.17 Benson Koech ( KEN ) Rieti 1995 1 : 42.87 Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Monaco 1 : 41.83 Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Rieti 1997 1 : 41.11 Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Cologne 1998 1 : 42.75 Japheth Kimutai ( KEN ) Stuttgart 1999 1 : 42.27 Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Brussels 2000 1 : 43.12 André Bucher ( SUI ) Lausanne 2001 1 : 42.47 Yuriy Borzakovskiy ( RUS ) Brussels 2002 1 : 42.32 Wilson Kipketer ( DEN ) Rieti 2003 1 : 42.52 Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) Brussels 1 : 43.08 Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) Zürich 2005 1 : 43.70 Wilfred Bungei ( KEN ) Rieti 2006 1 : 43.09 Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Rieti 2007 1 : 43.74 Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ( RSA ) Monaco 2008 1 : 42.69 Abubaker Kaki ( SUD ) Oslo 2009 1 : 42.01 David Rudisha ( KEN ) Rieti 1 : 41.01 David Rudisha ( KEN ) Rieti 2011 1 : 41.33 David Rudisha ( KEN ) Rieti 2012 1 : 40.91 David Rudisha ( KEN ) London 2013 1 : 42.37 Mohamed Aman ( ETH ) Brussels 2014 1 : 42.45 Nijel Amos ( BOT ) Monaco 2015 1 : 42.51 Amel Tuka ( BIH ) Monaco 2016 1 : 42.15 David Rudisha ( KEN ) Rio de Janeiro 2017 1 : 43.10 Emmanuel Korir ( KEN ) Monaco Women Year Time Athlete Location Ref 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1 : 54.94 Tatyana Kazankina ( URS ) Montreal 1977 1 : 57.39 Ileana Silai ( ROU ) Bucharest 1978 1 : 55.80 Tatyana Providokhina ( URS ) Prague 1979 1 : 56.2 Totka Petrova ( BUL ) Paris 1980 1 : 53.43 Nadezhda Olizarenko ( URS ) Moscow 1981 1 : 56.98 Lyudmila Veselkova ( URS ) Leningrad 1982 1 : 55.05 Doina Melinte ( ROU ) Bucharest 1 : 53.28 Jarmila Kratochvílová ( TCH ) Munich 1984 1 : 55.69 Irina Podyalovskaya ( URS ) Kiev 1985 1 : 55.68 Ella Kovacs ( ROU ) Bucharest 1986 1 : 56.2 Doina Melinte ( ROU ) Bucharest 1 : 55.26 Sigrun Wodars ( GDR ) Rome 1988 1 : 56.00 Inna Yevseyeva ( URS ) Nadezhda Olizarenko ( URS ) Kiev Kharkov 1989 1 : 54.44 Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) Barcelona 1990 1 : 55.87 Sigrun Wodars ( GDR ) Split 1991 1 : 57.23 Svetlana Masterkova ( RUS ) Kiev 1992 1 : 55.54 Ellen van Langen ( NED ) Barcelona 1993 1 : 55.43 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Stuttgart 1994 1 : 55.19 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Zürich 1995 1 : 55.72 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Monaco 1 : 56.04 Svetlana Masterkova ( RUS ) Monaco 1997 1 : 54.82 Ana Fidelia Quirot ( CUB ) Cologne 1998 1 : 56.11 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Zürich 1999 1 : 55.87 Svetlana Masterkova ( RUS ) Moscow 2000 1 : 56.15 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Sydney 2001 1 : 56.85 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Zürich 2002 1 : 55.19 Jolanda Čeplak ( SLO ) Heusden - Zolder 2003 1 : 55.55 Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( MOZ ) Madrid 1 : 56.23 Tatyana Andrianova ( RUS ) Tula 2005 1 : 56.07 Tatyana Andrianova ( RUS ) Tula 2006 1 : 56.66 Janeth Jepkosgei ( KEN ) Lausanne 2007 1 : 56.04 Janeth Jepkosgei ( KEN ) Osaka 2008 1 : 54.01 Pamela Jelimo ( KEN ) Zurich 2009 1 : 55.45 Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Berlin 1 : 57.34 Alysia Johnson ( USA ) Monaco 2011 1 : 55.87 Mariya Savinova ( RUS ) Daegu 2012 1 : 56.19 Mariya Savinova ( RUS ) London 2013 1 : 56.72 Francine Niyonsaba ( BDI ) Eugene 2014 1 : 57.67 Ajee ' Wilson ( USA ) Monaco 2015 1 : 56.99 Eunice Sum ( KEN ) Saint - Denis 2016 1 : 55.28 Caster Semenya ( RSA ) Rio de Janeiro 2017 1 : 55.16 Caster Semenya ( RSA ) London References Jump up ^ While 1500m runners are usually encouraged to run 5000 metres and / or 3000m steeplechase. ^ Jump up to : `` 800 Metres Results ''. IAAF. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012. Jump up ^ `` 800 Metres Results ''. www.diamondleague-oslo.com. 4 June 2010. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` 800m Result '' ( PDF ). Samsung Diamond League. Omega Timing. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013. Jump up ^ `` 800m Results '' ( PDF ). sportresult.com. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` Men 's 800m Results '' ( PDF ). Rio 2016 official website. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` All - time women 's best 800m ''. alltime-athletics.com. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017. Jump up ^ `` 800m Results '' ( PDF ). IAAF. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017. Jump up ^ `` 800m Results '' ( PDF ). sportresult.com. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017. Jump up ^ `` 800m Results '' ( PDF ). sportresult.com. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017. Jump up ^ `` IAAF Toplist 800m Women Outdoor ''. IAAF. December 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2015. External links IAAF list of 800 - metres records in XML Athletics events Track and field Cross country running Road running Racewalking Track Sprints 50 m 55 m 60 m 100 y 100 m 150 m 200 m ( straight ) 300 m 400 m Hurdles 50 m 55 m 60 m 80 m 100 m 110 m 200 m ( low ) 300 m 400 m Middle - distance 500 m 600 m 800 m 1000 m 1500 m One mile 2000 m 2000 m steeplechase 3000 m 3000 m steeplechase Two miles Long - distance 5000 m 10,000 m One hour run Relays 4 × 100 m 4 × 200 m 4 × 400 m 4 × 800 m 4 × 1500 m Distance medley relay Sprint medley relay Swedish relay Walking Mile 3000 m 5000 m 10,000 m 20,000 m Field Throws Discus Hammer Javelin Shot put Weight throw Softball throw Jumps High jump ( standing ) Long jump ( standing ) Triple jump ( standing ) Pole vault Combined Decathlon Heptathlon Athletics pentathlon Women 's pentathlon Throws pentathlon Road Running 5 km 10 km 15 km 10 mi 20 km Half marathon 25 km 30 km Marathon Ekiden Ultramarathon Walking 10 km 20 km 50 km 50 mi 100 km Other Racerunning Multi-day race Ultramarathon Wheelchair racing Backward running Current Olympic events shown in italics Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=800_metres&oldid=843341577 '' Categories : Events in athletics ( track and field ) Middle - distance running Summer Olympic disciplines in athletics 800 metres Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from June 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Use dmy dates from June 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Aragonés Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Euskara فارسی Français Hrvatski Italiano עברית Latviešu Lëtzebuergesch Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Polski Português Русский Slovenčina Српски / srpski Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська 中文 23 more Edit links This page was last edited on 28 May 2018, at 14 : 20. 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Question: who holds the women's 800m world record
Answer: Jarmila Kratochvílová