The women's 800 metres at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on 15–18 August at the Beijing National Stadium.

[2] Vanja Perišić of Croatia was later disqualified for failing an in-competition drugs test.

Jelimo and Jepkosgei never saw a challenge to their gold and silver, behind them Sinclair, then Mutola gave an ever futile chase.

From almost the back of the pack, Hasna Benhassi moved forward through the turn.

While Andrianova was faster down the straightaway, she couldn't make up enough ground, Benhassi finishing with bronze after taking silver in the previous three major championships.