The men's 800 metres event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

[2] Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland appeared in the event for the first time.

The competition used the three-round format introduced in 1912, though the final expanded to nine runners for the first time.

As the 2nd and final lap began Rudd took the lead and held it until the finishing straight where Hill and Eby passed him and battled each other until the end.

Hill pulled ahead in the final meters to win Great Britain its 3rd gold medal in the 800m.