Mel Sheppard became the first man to win two medals in the event, coming in second to miss out on defending his 1908 gold.

Ira Davenport completed the United States sweep, the second time the Americans had swept the 800 metres podium (after 1904).

[2] Chile, Norway, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey appeared in the event for the first time.

Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, and the United States each made their fourth appearance, tied for the most among all nations.

The world record of 1:52.8, which had seemed fairly safe through the first two rounds of competition, was broken by all three medalists and tied by the fourth-place runner in the final.