2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
- La Défense Arena — Paris, France
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- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6| Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9
MEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE – FINALS
World Record: 14:31.02 – Sun Yang, CHN (2012)- World Junior Record: 14:46.09 – Franko Grgic, CRO (2019)
Olympic Record: 14:31.02 – Sun Yang, CHN (2012)- 2021 Winning Time: 14:39.65 – Bobby Finke, USA
- 2021 Time to Win Bronze: 14:40.91
Podium
- Bobby Finke (USA) – 14:30.67 ***NEW WORLD RECORD***
- Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) – 14:34.55
- Daniel Wiffen (IRE) – 14:39.63
- David Bethlehem (HUN) – 14:40.91
- Kuzey Tuncelli (TUR) – 14:41.22
- Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN) – 14:43.35
- David Aubry (FRA) – 14:44.66
- Damien Joly (FRA) – 14:52.61
Bobby Finke swam to a new World Record in the men’s 1500 freestyle. Finke touched in a 14:30.67, just ahead of Sun Yang‘s record of a 14:31.02 set back at the 2012 London Olympics. Finke also broke his own Americas Record of a 14:31.59 that he swam last summer at the 2023 World Championships.
Split Comparison
| Bobby Finke | Bobby Finke | Sun Yang | |||
| Finke vs. Finke split | Previous PB | 2024 Olympics | Former WR |
Finke vs. Yang Split
|
|
| 100m | -0.59 | 56.06 | 55.47 | 55.8 | -0.33 |
| 200m | -0.39 | 58.51 | 58.12 | 58.51 | -0.39 |
| 300m | -0.7 | 58.8 | 58.10 | 58.32 | -0.22 |
| 400m | 0.2 | 58.49 | 58.69 | 58.87 | -0.18 |
| 500m | 0.34 | 58.38 | 58.72 | 58.12 | 0.60 |
| 600m | 0.12 | 58.64 | 58.76 | 58.53 | 0.23 |
| 700m | 0.09 | 58.56 | 58.65 | 58.59 | 0.06 |
| 800m | 0.13 | 58.54 | 58.67 | 58.71 | -0.04 |
| 900m | -0.44 | 58.63 | 58.19 | 58.87 | -0.68 |
| 1000m | -0.38 | 58.73 | 58.35 | 58.78 | -0.43 |
| 1100m | -0.23 | 58.52 | 58.29 | 58.63 | -0.34 |
| 1200m | -0.03 | 58.43 | 58.40 | 58.91 | -0.51 |
| 1300m | 0.26 | 58.02 | 58.28 | 58.36 | -0.08 |
| 1400m | 0.47 | 58.17 | 58.64 | 58.53 | 0.11 |
| 1500m | 0.23 | 55.11 | 55.34 | 53.49 | 1.85 |
| Total Time | -0.92 | 14:31.59 | 14:30.67 | 14:31.02 | -0.45 |
Finke changed his approach to the race and went out fast, especially on the first 400 of the race where he was half of a second ahead of his old personal best.
In the past, Finke has been known for his speed at the end of the race, especially during the final 50 where he often passes his competition. He still had a strong final 50 today with a 26.27 coming home, the 2nd fastest final 50 of the field as only David Betlehem was faster in a 26.12. He also still negative split the race overall, flipping in a 7:15.88 at the 750 mark and coming home in a 7:14.79.
Finke needed to come home as fast as he did today as Sun was known for coming home strong, especially on the final 100. Sun notably came home in a 53.49 during his World Record but Finke was fast enough with a 55.34 today.
The win tonight also earned the US men their first (and only) individual gold medal of the meet. The US men continue their streak of winning at least one individual gold since the 1900 Olympics.
Was there still an incentive of $1 Million US if an American set a WR in the 1,500?
I think $1M bonus also was contingent on gold medal with it? Hope Bobby gets bonus–adjusted for inflation– since US Swimming announce bonus back in late 80’s early 90’s
Would be interesting to have a 2-3 day break between 800/1500 trials and finals like they do in athletics for the 1500/5k. We would have seen sub 14:30 for sure and possibly by 2-3 swimmers. Wiffen perhaps could have recovered more. That 14:30 by Finke is incredible given he swam 14:45 a little more than 24 hours earlier.
In my empty living room, I raised my arms and teared up when he touched. What a gutsy effort and swim.
And did you see Nesty not only crying after the race but during it? That’s what sport is all about. Damn I love it! Having retired from coaching ten years ago, damn I miss that feeling.
Well done to all. Thank you for a thrilling, albeit adversity filled Olympic swimming experience.
If the winer was any other swimmer, the comments in here will be asking for doping tests
I cheered so hard for this in the final 100. Finke swam that so boldly and was rewarded.
Bobby Finke finally swam a smart race. He always raves about Ledecky but until tonight never bothered to swim remotely like Ledecky.
When he finally got around to it he’s rewarded with a world record. Really shocking development.
The best thing about that race is we no longer have to look at 1500 world record splits with a mental asterisk given the final 100 of the prior record
I think he spent the last few years preparing to do this at the Olympics.
After the 2023 worlds he knew it was time to unleash.
In a way I’m glad he didn’t show his cards in the 800, because Paltrinieri would have been with him or past him.
Amazing swim Bobby has been Hungry for a WR ever since Tokyo and for him to finish the meet off in a basically fairytale ending is awesome. Probably the first time I’ve seen Nesty break down after a swim especially that type of swim congrats Bobby
Wasn’t Tuncelli’s time in the 1500 a new Jr World record?
yes