The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 2020 Summer Olympics was held on 30 July and 1 August 2021 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

In a close affair in the middle lanes, Finke split an astonishing 25.78 on the last 50 to overtake the field and become the first American to win gold in the event since Mike O'Brien in 1984.

2019 World Champion Wellbrock held a 0.72 second advantage over Finke at the final turn but could not withstand the latter's finishing speed, settling for bronze in 14:40.91.

Great Britain's Daniel Jervis (14:55.48), ROC's Kirill Martynychev (14:55.85), Austria's Felix Auboeck (15:03.47) and Ukraine's Serhiy Frolov (15:04.26) rounded out the championship field, with all four swimmers slower than their preliminary times.

Up to one swimmer per NOC meeting that time is eligible for selection, allocated by world ranking until the maximum quota for all swimming events is reached.