[3] Chad, Hong Kong, Iran, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, and Malaysia each made their first appearance in the event.

The United States made its 15th appearance, the only nation to have competed in the men's 1500 metres at each Games to that point.

The competition expanded again to three rounds (used previously in 1952, the only prior exception to the two-round format that had been in place since 1908).

World and Olympic record holder, Herb Elliott was not back to defend his title, having retired from the sport at 24 years of age.

1960 800 metre champion Peter Snell entered the Olympics with the intent of duplicating his feat, doubling over similar distances at the previous 1962 Commonwealth Games.

With about 220 metres to go, Snell accelerated, blowing past Baran and Davies, the others would now be racing for second place.

Snell extended his lead to almost 10 metres, crossing the finish line 1.5 seconds ahead of anyone else.