The world’s greatest take on the metric mile. With it still undecided whether Sifan Hassan will run the distance regardless any medalist will have more than earnt the prize.

Schedule

Monday 2 August 01:35 UK Time (Heats) Wednesday 4 August 11:00 UK Time (Semifinal) Friday 6 August 1.50pm (Final)

2021 Top Times

2021 Ranking	Time	Athlete	Country
1	3.51.07	Faith Kipyegon	Kenya
2	3.53.6	Sifan Hassan	Netherlands
3	3.54.01	Gudaf Tsegay	Ethiopia
4	3.55.59	Laura Muir	Great Britain & NI
5	3.56.28	Freweyni Gebreezibeher	Ethiopia
6	3.58.03	Ellie Purrier	USA
7	3.58.93	Diribe Welteji	Ethiopia
8	3.59.43	Hirut Meshesha	Ethiopia
9	3.59.67	Linden Hall	Australia
10	4.00.35	Lemlem Hailu	Ethiopia

British interest

Laura Muir, Katie Snowden and Revee Walcott-Nolan make up the British contingent. Laura Muir will have realistic ambitions of a first Olympic medal with whether that is silver or bronze likely to depend on if Hassan runs the event. Katie Snowden has realistic ambitions of making a final and Revee Walcott Nolan will hope to at least make the semis.

The favourites

Faith Kipyegon’s hugely impressive performance in Monaco, beating Sifan Hassan, makes her a clear favourite to retain her Olympic title. Sifan Hassan is entered for the 1500, 5000 and 10,000 and this event looks the most likely for her to drop. Gudaf Tsegay has already stated she is running the 5000m so in theory Laura Muir is the best of the rest and by some distance. Run the right race and you would think Muir has every chance of a silver medal. Gebreezibeher has displayed imperious form both in winning the Ethiopian trials and then coming an impressive third in Monaco.

Our medal predictions

1. Faith Kipyegon
2. Laura Muir
3. Freweyni Gebreezibeher

Records

WR: 3.50.07 Genzebe Dibaba

OR: 3.53.96 Paula Ivan (Seoul 1988)

Featured image “Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon, Laura Muir und weitere 1500-Meter-Läuferinnen bei den IAAF Leichtathletik-Weltmeisterschaften 2017 in London” by marcoverch is licensed under CC BY 2.0