Athletics at the 1928 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metres

This was the eighth appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. Sixth-place finisher Lloyd Hahn of the United States was the only finalist from the 1924 Games to return. Defending champion Paavo Nurmi of Finland was in Amsterdam, but competed only in longer distances this Games. Finland was still well-represented, however, as Eino Purje and Harri Larva were among the favorites, along with Jules Ladoumègue of France and world-record holder Otto Peltzer of Germany.[2]

Argentina and Yugoslavia each made their first appearance in the event. The United States made its eighth appearance, the only nation to have competed in the men's 1500 metres at each Games to that point.

The competition consisted of two rounds, the format used since 1908. As in 1924, there were six semifinals, this time with anywhere between 6 and 9 runners in each, and once again the top two runners in each heat advanced to the final, for a 12-man final race.[2][4]

These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1928 Summer Olympics.

World record	Otto Peltzer (GER)	3:51.0	Berlin, Germany	11 September 1926
Olympic record	Paavo Nurmi (FIN)	3:53.6	Paris, France	10 July 1924

In the final Harri Larva set a new Olympic record at 3:53.2.