In his race immediately prior to the Olympics, however, he had been beaten by his compatriot Ronald Kwemoi and Elijah Motonei Manangoi (second and third in the seasonal rankings).

The reigning Olympic champion from 2012, Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria, was fourth on the world lists, but faced the challenge of also running the 800 m which overlapped on the programme.

[3][4] In the first round the main protagonists progressed, although a notable elimination was reigning European champion Filip Ingebrigtsen, who was disqualified for impeding Charlie Grice and Homiyu Tesfaye (both runners were advanced as a result).

İlham Tanui Özbilen of Turkey (a 2012 World Indoor medallist) was knocked out, having shown poor form that year.

Jakub Holuša of the Czech Republic was fastest in the heats with 3:38.31 minutes, leading a race which saw ten men run under 3:40.

[6][7] American Robby Andrews initially made the grade, with his typical fast finish, but as he made his way on the inside, he initially tried to take open space between Gebremedhin and the rail, but Gebremedhin defended his position and Andrews had nowhere to go except inside the rail, where he executed the pass to get into the final qualifying spot.

[8] At the start, nobody wanted the lead, so the role defaulted to Americans Matthew Centrowitz and Ben Blankenship sandwiching David Bustos.

During the second lap, Nick Willis drifted to the front to replace Blankenship next to Bustos and Centrowitz.

Coming around the turn, Souleiman tried to pass again and was successful, taking the lead position on the home stretch.

Centrowitz took the small gap next to the rail and squeezed through, deftly slipping his elbow and shoulder in front of Souleiman.

Iguider was moving backwards with Kiprop, Willis beat Souleiman to the pounce and was chasing Makhloufi.

The medals were presented by Nawal El Moutawakel, IOC member, Morocco and Sebastian Coe, President of the IAAF and 1980-4 double gold medalist in this event.

[2] East Timor, South Sudan, and the Refugee Olympic Team each made their first appearance in the event.