[1] The event was won by 0.62 seconds by Noureddine Morceli of Algeria, the nation's first championship in the men's 1500 metres.

Fermín Cacho of Spain was unable to repeat as gold medalist, but took silver to become the fourth man to win two medals in the event.

But Hicham El Guerrouj, from neighboring Morocco was the rising star, who had chased Morceli in the most recent world championships.

While Morceli had led the semi-finals in close to Olympic record time, the final race was much slower and entirely strategic.

Approaching the bell at the end of the third lap, Morceli had moved into the lead with El Guerrouj sprinting up to his shoulder.

Morceli took off sprinting at the same moment the rest of the field had to evade El Guerrouj's body on the track.

After quickly staggering to his feet, El Guerrouj chased the field but shocked and disheartened, he was unable to catch anybody.