The event was won by Herb Elliott of Australia, the nation's second victory in the 1500 metres and first since 1896.

Michel Jazy of France took silver, the third time a French athlete had achieved that mark.

Waiting on the final backstretch, his coach Percy Cerutty prearranged that he would wave a yellow towel if Elliott was in danger of being caught from behind or close to the world record.

[1] Iraq, Israel, Liechtenstein, Rhodesia, Romania, and Tunisia each made their first appearance in the event.

The United States made its 14th appearance, the only nation to have competed in the men's 1500 metres at each Games to that point.