Athletics at the 1964 Summer Olympics - Women's 800 metres

The women's 800 metres was the longest of the four women's track races in the Athletics at the 1964 Summer Olympics program in Tokyo. It was held on 18 October, 19 October, and 20 October 1964. 24 athletes from 16 nations entered, with 1 not starting the first round. The first round was held on 18 October, the semifinals on 19 October, and the final on 20 October.

Medallists

First round, heat 3

Final

After winning a silver medal in the 400 metres Ann Packer had no plans to run in the 800 metres and had a shopping trip planned until her fiancé, Robbie Brightwell finished fourth in the 400 metres. Disappointed for him, she turned to the 800 metres, an event which she had only raced in five times before.

Packer, who had placed fifth in her first round heat and third in her semifinal started the final as the slowest of the eight contestants. Packer was sixth at 400 metres, lying behind Dupureur, she was third at 600 m and took the lead in the final straight, using her sprinting speed to take the gold medal in world record time [ [http://www.times-olympics.co.uk/historyheroes/stgbo10.html Times On Line biography] ] . The first five runners all beat the old Olympic record time (set by Dupureur in the semifinals).

References

* Official Report