Aaron O'Neill
Research lead for society, economy, and politics: Europe & global
Get in touch with us nowGold medal times in the 10,000m sprint at the Summer Olympics 1912-2020
The 10,000 meter race has been a permanent fixture in the men's roster since 1912, replacing the five mile race (approximately 8,000m); while the women's event was not introduced until 1988. The Olympic record was set in 2008 by gold medallist Kenenisa Bekela of Ethiopia, and the women's record was set by Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana in 2016. The men's world record was set in 2020 by Joshua Cheptegi of Uganda, with a run of 26:11, and the women's record was set by Letesenbet Gidey in June 2021, with a time of 29:01; both of these athletes finished on the podium in the 2020 Games, but neither won the gold (although Cheptegi did take the gold in the 5,000m race).
In early Olympic Games, Finnish men dominated the 10,000m, however Ethiopian performances in recent years have seen them claim eleven gold medals, to Finland's seven. Finland's Paavo Nurmi was the first athlete to win two 10,000m golds in 1920 and 1928, and several others have gone on to match this feat, with three men winning back-to-back golds between 1996 and 2016. Paavo Nurmi remains the only Olympian to have won the gold medal in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m races.
In early Olympic Games, Finnish men dominated the 10,000m, however Ethiopian performances in recent years have seen them claim eleven gold medals, to Finland's seven. Finland's Paavo Nurmi was the first athlete to win two 10,000m golds in 1920 and 1928, and several others have gone on to match this feat, with three men winning back-to-back golds between 1996 and 2016. Paavo Nurmi remains the only Olympian to have won the gold medal in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m races.
