The men's 800 metres sprint competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place between the 27 and 28 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium.

[1] The defending Pan American Games champion was Yeimer López of Cuba.

Prior to this competition, the existing world and Pan American Games records were as follows: Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) was able to enter one athlete regardless if they had met the qualification standard.

To enter two entrants both athletes had to have met the minimum standard (1:49.0) in the qualifying period (January 1, 2010 to September 14, 2011).

[3][4] Jon Rankin was advanced to the final due to interference.