The competition format is a straight final between around 30 athletes, although prior to 2004 a qualifying round was held.

[1] Six men have won the Olympic title twice: Paavo Nurmi became the first in 1928 and he was followed by Emil Zátopek, Lasse Virén, Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and Mo Farah.

Two women have achieved the feat: Derartu Tulu won her second title in 2004 and Tirunesh Dibaba had back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2012.

Finland's period of great success in early 20th century led to wide usage of the nickname the Flying Finns; Kaarlo Maaninka was the last Finnish athlete to medal over 10,000 m, in 1980 (Martti Vainio finished second in 1984 but was disqualified for doping).

Some sports historians continue to treat the results of these games as part of the Olympic canon.