# 800 metres

The 800 metres, or 800 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 first modern games in 1896. During the winter track season the event is usually run by completing four laps of an indoor 200-metre track.
The event was derived from the imperial measurement of a half mile (880 yards), a traditional British racing distance. 800 m is 4.67 m less than a half mile.
The event combines aerobic endurance with anaerobic conditioning and sprint speed, so the 800m athlete has to combine training for both.
Runners in this event are occasionally fast enough to also compete in the 400 metres but more commonly have enough endurance to 'double up' in the 1500m. Only Alberto Juantorena and Jarmila Kratochvílová have won major international titles at 400m and 800m.

## Race tactics

The 800m is also known for its tactical racing. Because it is the shortest middle-distance event that has all the runners converge into one lane (after the first bend), positioning on the cut-in and the position of the pack is critical to the outcome of the race. Gaining a front position early in the race is often advantageous as there are occasionally trips when running in a pack. Olympic champions Dave Wottle, Kelly Holmes and others have defied that logic by running a more evenly paced race, lagging behind the pack and accelerating past the slowing early leaders. Often the winner of elite 800m races is not the fastest runner, but the athlete best positioned near the end of the race: an athlete directly behind another runner, has to switch to an outer lane to overtake, so has to run further—and might be blocked by a third runner alongside.
800 metre participants usually run a positive split, where the first lap is faster, but a negative split is occasionally run as a tactic. The current world record (by David Rudisha) was run with a positive split in the 2012 Olympics. Rudisha ran the first lap in 49.28 seconds and the second in 51.63 seconds. Theoretically, an even split is the most efficient running mode, but it is difficult to pace correctly.
In 2024, the race tactics in the men's 800m shifted toward a more evenly paced race. All fifteen sub-1:42 performances prior to 2024 featured a sub 50 second first lap. However, of the twelve sub-1:42 performances in 2024, six featured a first lap of 50 seconds or slower.

## Continental records

* Updated 10 August 2024.
| Area | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women |
| Area | Time | Athlete | Nation | Time | 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 | Liu Dong | China |
| Europe (records) | 1:41.11 | Wilson Kipketer | Denmark | 1:53.28 WR | Jarmila Kratochvílová | Czechoslovakia |
| North, Central America and Caribbean (records) | 1:41.20 | Marco Arop | Canada | 1:54.44 | Ana Fidelia Quirot | Cuba |
| Oceania (records) | 1:43.99 | Joseph Deng | Australia | 1:57.78 | Catriona Bisset | Australia |
| South America (records) | 1:41.77 | Joaquim Cruz | Brazil | 1:56.58 | Letitia Vriesde | Suriname |

## All-time top 25

* Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 800m times and the top 25 athletes:
* - denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 800m times
* - denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 800m times, by repeat athletes
* - denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 800m times

### Men (outdoor)

* Correct as of 22 August 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 1:40.91 | David Rudisha | Kenya | 9 August 2012 | London |
| | 2 | 1:41.01 | Rudisha #2 | | 29 August 2010 | Rieti |
| | 3 | 1:41.09 | Rudisha #3 | | 22 August 2010 | Berlin |
| 2 | 4 | 1:41.11 | Wilson Kipketer | Denmark | 24 August 1997 | Cologne |
| 2 | 4 | 1:41.11 | Emmanuel Wanyonyi | Kenya | 22 August 2024 | Lausanne |
| | 6 | 1:41.19 | Wanyonyi #2 | | 10 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| 4 | 7 | 1:41.20 | Marco Arop | Canada | 10 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| | 8 | 1:41.24 | Kipketer #2 | | 13 August 1997 | Zürich |
| | 9 | 1:41.33 | Rudisha #4 | | 10 September 2011 | Rieti |
| 5 | 10 | 1:41.46 | Djamel Sedjati | Algeria | 12 July 2024 | Monaco |
| | 11 | 1:41.50 | Sedjati #2 | | 10 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| | 12 | 1:41.51 | Rudisha #5 | | 10 July 2010 | Heusden-Zolder |
| | 13 | 1:41.54 | Rudisha #6 | | 6 July 2012 | Paris |
| | 14 | 1:41.56 | Sedjati #3 | | 7 July 2024 | Paris |
| | 15 | 1:41.58 | Wanyonyi #3 | | 7 July 2024 | Paris |
| 6 | 16 | 1:41.61 | Gabriel Tual | France | 7 July 2024 | Paris |
| 7 | 17 | 1:41.67 | Bryce Hoppel | United States | 10 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| | 18 | 1:41.70 | Wanyonyi #4 | | 15 June 2024 | Nairobi |
| | 19 | 1:41.72 | Arop #2 | | 22 August 2024 | Lausanne |
| 8 | 20 | 1:41.73 | Sebastian Coe | Great Britain | 10 June 1981 | Florence |
| | 20 | 1:41.73 | Kipketer #3 | | 7 July 1997 | Stockholm |
| 8 | 20 | 1:41.73 | Nijel Amos | Botswana | 9 August 2012 | London |
| | 23 | 1:41.74 | Rudisha #7 | | 9 June 2012 | New York City |
| 10 | 24 | 1:41.77 | Joaquim Cruz | Brazil | 26 August 1984 | Cologne |
| | 25 | 1:41.83 | Kipketer #4 | | 1 September 1996 | Rieti |
| 11 | | 1:42.04 | Mohamed Attaoui | Spain | 12 July 2024 | Monaco |
| 12 | | 1:42.05 | Emmanuel Korir | Kenya | 22 July 2018 | London |
| 13 | | 1:42.08 | Aaron Kemei Cheminingwa | Kenya | 7 July 2024 | Paris |
| 13 | | 1:42.08 | Wyclife Kinyamal | Kenya | 7 July 2024 | Paris |
| 15 | | 1:42.23 | Abubaker Kaki | Sudan | 4 June 2010 | Oslo |
| 16 | | 1:42.27 | Ben Pattison | United Kingdom | 12 July 2024 | Monaco |
| 17 | | 1:42.28 | Sammy Koskei | Kenya | 26 August 1984 | Cologne |
| 18 | | 1:42.34 | Wilfred Bungei | Kenya | 8 September 2002 | Rieti |
| 18 | | 1:42.34 | Donavan Brazier | United States | 1 October 2019 | Doha |
| 20 | | 1:42.37 | Mohammed Aman | Ethiopia | 6 September 2013 | Brussels |
| 21 | | 1:42.43 | Eliott Crestan | Belgium | 7 July 2024 | Paris |
| 22 | | 1:42.47 | Yuriy Borzakovskiy | Russia | 24 August 2001 | Brussels |
| 23 | | 1:42.51 | Amel Tuka | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 17 July 2015 | Monaco |
| 24 | | 1:42.53 | Timothy Kitum | Kenya | 9 August 2012 | London |
| 24 | | 1:42.53 | Pierre-Ambroise Bosse | France | 18 July 2014 | Monaco |

### Women (outdoor)

* Updated July 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 1:53.28 | Jarmila Kratochvílová | Czechoslovakia | 26 July 1983 | Munich |
| 2 | 2 | 1:53.43 | Nadezhda Olizarenko | Soviet Union | 27 July 1980 | Moscow |
| 3 | 3 | 1:54.01 | Pamela Jelimo | Kenya | 29 August 2008 | Zürich |
| 4 | 4 | 1:54.25 | Caster Semenya | South Africa | 30 June 2018 | Paris |
| 5 | 5 | 1:54.44 | Ana Fidelia Quirot | Cuba | 9 September 1989 | Barcelona |
| | 6 | 1:54.60 | Semenya #2 | | 20 July 2018 | Monaco |
| 6 | 7 | 1:54.61 | Keely Hodgkinson | Great Britain | 20 July 2024 | London |
| | 8 | 1:54.68 | Kratochvílová #2 | | 9 August 1983 | Helsinki |
| | 9 | 1:54.77 | Semenya #3 | | 9 September 2018 | Ostrava |
| 7 | 10 | 1:54.81 | Olga Mineyeva | Soviet Union | 27 July 1980 | Moscow |
| | 11 | 1:54.82 | Quirot #2 | | 24 August 1997 | Cologne |
| | 12 | 1:54.85 | Olizarenko #2 | | 12 June 1980 | Moscow |
| | 13 | 1:54.87 | Jelimo #2 | | 18 August 2008 | Beijing |
| 8 | 14 | 1:54.94 | Tatyana Kazankina | Soviet Union | 26 July 1976 | Montreal |
| | 15 | 1:54.97 | Jelimo #3 | | 18 July 2008 | Paris |
| 9 | 15 | 1:54.97 | Athing Mu | United States | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| | 17 | 1:54.98 | Semenya #4 | | 3 May 2019 | Doha |
| | 18 | 1:54.99 | Jelimo #4 | | 1 June 2008 | Berlin |
| | 19 | 1:55.04 | Kratochvílová #3 | | 23 August 1983 | Oslo |
| | 20 | 1:55.04 | Mu #2 | | 21 August 2021 | Eugene |
| 10 | 21 | 1:55.05 | Doina Melinte | Romania | 1 August 1982 | Bucharest |
| | 22 | 1:55.16 | Jelimo #5 | | 5 September 2008 | Brussels |
| | 22 | 1:55.16 | Semenya #5 | | 13 August 2017 | London |
| 11 | 24 | 1:55.19 | Maria Mutola | Mozambique | 17 August 1994 | Zürich |
| 11 | 24 | 1:55.19 | Jolanda Čeplak | Slovenia | 20 July 2002 | Heusden-Zolder |
| | 24 | 1:55.19 | Hodgkinson #2 | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| 13 | | 1:55.26 | Sigrun Wodars | East Germany | 31 August 1987 | Rome |
| 14 | | 1:55.32 | Christine Wachtel | East Germany | 31 August 1987 | Rome |
| 15 | | 1:55.42 | Nikolina Shtereva | Bulgaria | 26 July 1976 | Montreal |
| 16 | | 1:55.46 | Tatyana Providokhina | Soviet Union | 27 July 1980 | Moscow |
| 17 | | 1:55.47 | Francine Niyonsaba | Burundi | 21 July 2017 | Monaco |
| 18 | | 1:55.54 | Ellen van Langen | Netherlands | 3 August 1992 | Barcelona |
| 18 | | 1:55.54 | Liu Dong | China | 9 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 20 | | 1:55.56 | Lyubov Gurina | Soviet Union | 31 August 1987 | Rome |
| 21 | | 1:55.60 | Elfi Zinn | East Germany | 26 July 1976 | Montreal |
| 22 | | 1:55.61 | Ajeé Wilson | United States | 21 July 2017 | Monaco |
| 22 | | 1:55.61 | Jemma Reekie | Great Britain | 20 July 2024 | London |
| 24 | | 1:55.68 | Ella Kovacs | Romania | 2 June 1985 | Bucharest |
| 25 | | 1:55.69 | Irina Podyalovskaya | Soviet Union | 22 June 1984 | Kyiv |

#### Annulled marks

* Yelena Soboleva (Russia) ran 1:54.85 in Kazan on 18 July 2007, but her performance was annulled due to doping offences.

### Men (indoor)

* Updated March 2025.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 1:42.67 | Wilson Kipketer | Denmark | 9 March 1997 | Paris |
| 2 | 2 | 1:43.24 | Josh Hoey | United States | 23 February 2025 | New York City |
| 3 | 3 | 1:43.63 | Elliot Giles | Great Britain | 17 February 2021 | Toruń |
| | 4 | 1:43.90 | Hoey #2 | | 8 February 2025 | New York City |
| | 5 | 1:43.96 | Kipketer #2 | | 7 March 1997 | Paris |
| 4 | 6 | 1:43.98 | Michael Saruni | Kenya | 9 February 2019 | New York City |
| 5 | 7 | 1:44.15 | Yuriy Borzakovskiy | Russia | 27 January 2001 | Karlsruhe |
| 6 | 8 | 1:44.19 | Bryce Hoppel | United States | 8 February 2025 | New York City |
| 7 | 9 | 1:44.21 | Emmanuel Korir | Kenya | 3 February 2018 | New York City |
| 7 | 9 | 1:44.21 | Donavan Brazier | United States | 13 February 2021 | New York City |
| | 11 | 1:44.22 | Brazier #2 | | 8 February 2020 | New York City |
| 9 | 12 | 1:44.26 | Brandon Miller | United States | 23 February 2025 | New York City |
| | 13 | 1:44.34 | Borzakovskiy #2 | | 18 February 2003 | Stockholm |
| | 14 | 1:44.35 | Borzakovskiy #3 | | 30 January 2000 | Dortmund |
| | 15 | 1:44.37 | Hoppel #2 | | 31 January 2021 | Fayetteville |
| | 16 | 1:44.41 | Brazier #3 | | 9 February 2019 | New York City |
| | 17 | 1:44.49 | Borzakovskiy #4 | | 11 March 2001 | Lisbon |
| 10 | 18 | 1:44.52 | Mohammed Aman | Ethiopia | 15 February 2014 | Birmingham |
| 11 | 19 | 1:44.54 | Jamie Webb | Great Britain | 17 February 2021 | Toruń |
| 12 | 20 | 1:44.57 | Adam Kszczot | Poland | 14 February 2012 | Liévin |
| | 21 | 1:44.58 | Borzakovskiy #5 | | 12 February 2004 | Stockholm |
| 13 | 22 | 1:44.65 | Josué Canales | Spain | 19 January 2025 | Luxembourg |
| | 23 | 1:44.68 | Kipketer #3 | | 18 February 2003 | Stockholm |
| 14 | 24 | 1:44.69 | Eliott Crestan | Belgium | 4 February 2025 | Ostrava |
| 15 | 25 | 1:44.71 | Joseph Mutua | Kenya | 31 January 2004 | Stuttgart |
| 16 | | 1:44.75 | Ismail Ahmed Ismail | Sudan | 26 February 2009 | Prague |
| 17 | | 1:44.78 | Paweł Czapiewski | Poland | 3 March 2002 | Vienna |
| 18 | | 1:44.81 | Abubaker Kaki | Sudan | 9 March 2008 | Valencia |
| 19 | | 1:44.82 | Mehdi Baala | France | 18 February 2003 | Stockholm |
| 19 | | 1:44.82 | Jonah Koech | United States | 8 February 2025 | New York City |
| 21 | | 1:44.84 | Paul Ereng | Kenya | 4 March 1989 | Budapest |
| 22 | | 1:44.88 | Nico Motchebon | Germany | 5 February 1995 | Stuttgart |
| 22 | | 1:44.88 | Samuel Chapple | Netherlands | 9 March 2025 | Apeldoorn |
| 24 | | 1:44.91 | Sebastian Coe | Great Britain | 12 March 1983 | Cosford |
| 24 | | 1:44.91 | Mbulaeni Mulaudzi | South Africa | 9 March 2008 | Valencia |

### Women (indoor)

* Updated March 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 1:55.82 | Jolanda Čeplak | Slovenia | 3 March 2002 | Vienna |
| 2 | 2 | 1:55.85 | Stephanie Graf | Austria | 3 March 2002 | Vienna |
| 3 | 3 | 1:56.40 | Christine Wachtel | East Germany | 13 February 1988 | Vienna |
| | 4 | 1:56.85 | Graf #2 | | 10 February 2002 | Ghent |
| 4 | 5 | 1:56.90 | Ludmila Formanová | Czech Republic | 7 March 1999 | Maebashi |
| 5 | 6 | 1:57.06 | Maria Mutola | Mozambique | 21 February 1999 | Liévin |
| | 7 | 1:57.13 | Mutola #2 | | 18 February 1996 | Liévin |
| | 8 | 1:57.17 | Mutola #3 | | 7 March 1999 | Maebashi |
| | 9 | 1:57.18 | Čeplak #2 | | 10 February 2002 | Ghent |
| 6 | 9 | 1:57.18 | Keely Hodgkinson | Great Britain | 25 February 2023 | Birmingham |
| | 11 | 1:57.20 | Hodgkinson #2 | | 19 February 2022 | Birmingham |
| 7 | 12 | 1:57.23 | Inna Yevseyeva | Ukraine | 1 February 1992 | Moscow |
| 8 | 13 | 1:57.47 | Natalya Tsyganova | Russia | 7 March 1999 | Maebashi |
| | 14 | 1:57.48 | Mutola #4 | | 10 February 2002 | Ghent |
| | 14 | 1:57.48 | Mutola #5 | | 15 February 2004 | Karlsruhe |
| 9 | 16 | 1:57.51 | Olga Kotlyarova | Russia | 18 February 2006 | Moscow |
| 10 | 17 | 1:57.52 | Gudaf Tsegay | Ethiopia | 14 February 2021 | Val-de-Reuil |
| | 18 | 1:57.53 | Graf #3 | | 25 February 2001 | Liévin |
| 11 | 19 | 1:57.53 | Larisa Chzhao | Russia | 23 January 2005 | Moscow |
| | 20 | 1:57.55 | Mutola #6 | | 14 March 1993 | Toronto |
| | 21 | 1:57.61 | Graf #4 | | 17 February 2002 | Birmingham |
| | 22 | 1:57.62 | Mutola #7 | | 12 March 1995 | Barcelona |
| | 23 | 1:57.64 | Wachtel #2 | | 10 February 1988 | Turin |
| 12 | 24 | 1:57.67 | Sigrun Wodars | East Germany | 13 February 1988 | Vienna |
| | 25 | 1:57.68 | Graf #5 | | 15 February 2001 | Stockholm |
| 13 | | 1:57.86 | Habitam Alemu | Ethiopia | 6 February 2024 | Toruń |
| 14 | | 1:57.91 | Jemma Reekie | Great Britain | 1 February 2020 | Glasgow |
| 15 | | 1:58.10 | Mariya Savinova | Russia | 8 March 2009 | Turin |
| 16 | | 1:58.14 | Yuliya Stepanova | Russia | 17 February 2011 | Moscow |
| 17 | | 1:58.29 | Ajeé Wilson | United States | 8 February 2020 | New York City |
| 18 | | 1:58.31 | Francine Niyonsaba | Burundi | 4 March 2018 | Birmingham |
| 19 | | 1:58.34 | Svetlana Cherkasova | Russia | 4 February 2006 | Moscow |
| 20 | | 1:58.35 | Tsige Duguma | Ethiopia | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| 21 | | 1:58.37 | Helena Fuchsova | Czech Republic | 25 February 2001 | Liévin |
| 22 | | 1:58.40 | Athing Mu | United States | 27 February 2021 | Fayetteville |
| 23 | | 1:58.43 | Jennifer Meadows | Great Britain | 14 March 2010 | Doha |
| 24 | | 1:58.44 | Laura Muir | Great Britain | 1 February 2020 | Glasgow |
| 25 | | 1:58.46 | Natoya Goule | Jamaica | 17 February 2022 | Liévin |

## U20 records and U18 world bests

* Updated 9 August 2012.
| Age group | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women |
| Age group | Time | Athlete | Nation | Time | Athlete | Nation |
| U20 (records) | 1:41.73 | Nijel Amos | Botswana | 1:54.01 | Pamela Jelimo | Kenya |
| U18 (world bests) | 1:43.37 | Mohammed Aman | Ethiopia | 1:57.18 | Wang Yuan | China |

## Olympic medalists
### Men

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |

### Women

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |

## 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) |
| 2019 Doha details | Donavan Brazier (USA) | Amel Tuka (BIH) | Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich (KEN) |
| 2022 Eugene details | Emmanuel Korir (KEN) | Djamel Sedjati (ALG) | Marco Arop (CAN) |
| 2023 Budapest details | Marco Arop (CAN) | Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) | Ben Pattison (GBR) |

#### Medalists by country

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Kenya (KEN) | 7 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| 2 | Denmark (DEN) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | United States (USA) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Algeria (ALG) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | South Africa (RSA) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Canada (CAN) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Bahrain (BHR) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | Ethiopia (ETH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Switzerland (SUI) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | West Germany (FRG) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | France (FRA) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 13 | Poland (POL) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 14 | Brazil (BRA) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 15 | Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | Great Britain (GBR) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 17 | Italy (ITA) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Netherlands (NED) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Sudan (SUD) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Burundi (BDI) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Cuba (CUB) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 22 | Djibouti (DJI) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | Norway (NOR) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |

### 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 | Caster Semenya (RSA) | Janeth Jepkosgei (KEN) | Alysia Johnson Montaño (USA) |
| 2013 Moscow details | Eunice Sum (KEN) | Brenda Martinez (USA) | Alysia Johnson Montaño (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) |
| 2019 Doha details | Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) | Raevyn Rogers (USA) | Ajeé Wilson (USA) |
| 2022 Eugene details | Athing Mu (USA) | Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) | Mary Moraa (KEN) |
| 2023 Budapest details | Mary Moraa (KEN) | Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) | Athing Mu (USA) |

#### Medalists by country

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Kenya (KEN) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 2 | Mozambique (MOZ) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Cuba (CUB) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | South Africa (RSA) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | United States (USA) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| 6 | Soviet Union (URS) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 7 | East Germany (GDR) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Belarus (BLR) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Czech Republic (CZE) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Czechoslovakia (TCH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Uganda (UGA) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 13 | Morocco (MAR) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | Great Britain (GBR) | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 15 | Suriname (SUR) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 16 | Austria (AUT) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Romania (ROM) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 18 | Spain (ESP) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | Burundi (BDI) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 | Canada (CAN) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |

## 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 (SUD) | Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (RSA) | Yusuf Saad Kamel (BHR) |
| 2010 Doha details | Abubaker Kaki (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) |
| 2022 Belgrade details | Mariano García (ESP) | Noah Kibet (KEN) | Bryce Hoppel (USA) |
| 2024 Glasgow details | Bryce Hoppel (USA) | Andreas Kramer (SWE) | Elliott Crestan (BEL) |

### 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 Arzamasova (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) |
| 2022 Belgrade details | Ajeé Wilson (USA) | Freweyni Hailu (ETH) | Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) |
| 2024 Glasgow details | Tsige Duguma (ETH) | Jemma Reekie (GBR) | Noélie Yarigo (BEN) |
* $^A$ Known as the World Indoor Games