World Record: Otto Peltzer, Germany 3:51.0Berlin, Germany 11 September 1926
Olympic Record: Paavo Nurmi, Finland 3:53.6Paris, France 10 July 1924
Ladoumègue was the fastest entrant with the third best time ever of
3:52.2, but was untested at international level, having improved by
more than 11 seconds in 1928. Larva, winner of the Finnish trials in
3:52.6, and Purje - the Finnish number two with a best of 3:53.1 in the
same race - were next fastest. As in 1924 there were six heats, with 2
qualifying from each. The principal victims were Edwin Wide (SWE)
and world record holder Otto Peltzer (GER), both of whom were beat-
en in the slowest heat won by Ray Conger (USA) in 4:02.6. All the
heats were tactical affairs, with only one sub-4 clocking by Herbert
Böcher (GER), 3:59.6.
Larva led for the first lap in the final in 61.0, with Purje then taking
over, passing 800m in 2:04.4 and the bell in 2:52.8. Purje still led after
three laps in 3:09.8, but Ladoumègue rushed into the lead with 250m
to go, and only Larva could respond. The Frenchman led until 20m
from the finish, and then Larva edged away leaving Ladoumègue 3m
behind at the finish.
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Switzerland
Czechoslovakia
Australia
United States
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Ireland
Spain
Denmark
Norway
Canada
Hungary
Greece
Argentina
Yugoslavia
Turkey
Monaco
Sweden
Mexico
Belgium
Japan
South Africa
India
