The men's 5000 metres event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1924 Summer Olympics. The competition was held on July 8, 1924, and on July 10, 1924. 38 long-distance runners from 21 nations competed.
Records These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1924 Summer Olympics.
World record 14:28.2 Paavo Nurmi Helsinki (FIN) June 19, 1924 Olympic record 14:36.6 Hannes Kolehmainen Stockholm (SWE) July 10, 1912
In the final Paavo Nurmi set a new Olympic record with 14:31.2 minutes.
Results
Semifinals
All semi-finals were held on Tuesday, July 8, 1924.
The best four finishers of every heat qualified for the final.
Semifinal 1
Place Athlete Time Qual. 1 15:22.2 Q 2 15:22.2 Q 3 15:23.6 Q 4 15:26.4 Q 5 15:27.4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16:36.0
Semifinal 2
Place Athlete Time Qual. 1 15:28.6 Q 2 15:29.4 Q 3 15:34.6 Q 4 15:37.0 Q 5 15:41.4 6 7 8 9 10 11 - DNF
Semifinal 3
Place Athlete Time Qual. 1 15:14.6 Q 2 15:24.0 Q 3 15:32.1 Q 4 15:35.6 Q 5 16:03.0 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Final The final was held on Thursday, July 10, 1924.
Nurmi had to improve the standing Olympic record to win the gold medal with Ritola only two tenths behind.
Place Athlete Time 1 14:31.2 OR 2 14:31.4 3 15:01.8 4 15:12.4 5 15:18.4 6 15:29.0 7 15:32.6 8 15:38.0 9 15:39.0 10 15:54.0 11 12
References
Notes Official Report