The Men's 5000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany took place on 7 and 10 September 1972.

As the pace accelerated, Javier Álvarez came from the rear around the field to take the point for the next kilometre.

50 metres before the bell, Viren took the lead again, with Mohammed Gammoudi breaking off the remaining group to mark the leaders.

In the middle of the final turn, Virén changed gears into his full sprint, taking the lead.

Gammoudi couldn't keep pace and began to watch Prefontaine while trying to hold on to the silver medal.