Who won the men's 800 metres at the 1988 Seoul Olympics?

Paul Ereng won the men's 800 metres at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Ereng represented Kenya and entered the Seoul Games as a relative surprise contender. He won the final in 1:44.84, edging Peter Elliott of Great Britain and crossing the line ahead of the established middle-distance field. His victory was Kenya's first Olympic gold medal in the men's 800 metres.

Ereng had studied and competed at the University of Virginia, where he developed rapidly as an 800-metre runner. His Olympic success followed a strong collegiate career and made him one of Kenya's most notable track champions of the late 1980s.

The 800 metres combines sprint speed with tactical positioning and endurance. Unlike a straight sprint, runners must manage pace, contact and lane movement, particularly after the first bend when the field merges. Ereng's Seoul final was won by maintaining speed through the closing straight.