The women's 1500 metres event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place from 2 to 6 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium.

The silver medal went to Great Britain's Laura Muir and the bronze went to Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

Sifan Hassan had already announced her intention to attempt to win the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 metres triple at the Olympics.

The semis also produced their own drama first when Winny Chebet tripped on the second lap, collecting Cory McGee during her fall.

[4] The other semi-final was largely uneventful, with Hassan winning in 4:00.23, ahead of Laura Muir and Linden Hall.

Half a lap into the race, Hassan floated up to the front to take the lead with Kipyegon and Muir following closely behind.

Through the next 3/4 of a lap, a pack of six runners broke off, then before the bell, two more fell off pace leaving Hassan, Kipyegon, Muir and DeBues-Stafford in that order.

Kipyegon joined Tatyana Kazankina as the only woman to successfully defend the Olympic 1500 metres title.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the period was suspended from 6 April 2020 to 30 November 2020, with the end date extended to 29 June 2021.