No World Record Chase? No Problem! Men’s 800 Freestyle Stacked with Talent
The world record of China’s Zhang Lin in the 800-meter freestyle is widely considered the most daunting of the men’s global standards. It was set at the 2009 World Championships, the height of the super-suit era, and stands at 7:32.12. That is the equivalent of back-to-back 3:46 efforts in the 400 freestyle, and no athlete in a textile suit has come within five seconds of what Zhang put together in Rome.
Really, it wouldn’t be surprising if the world record in the event goes unthreatened for many years to come. Yet, the 800 freestyle could emerge as a can’t-miss showdown at this summer’s World Championships in Singapore. Four years after the 800 free made its Olympic debut, the discipline is rich with talent.
While the 1500 freestyle has long been recognized as the premier distance event on the schedule, the addition of the 800 freestyle to the Olympic program certainly enhanced the event’s status. A similar boost is likely to be found by the 50-meter stroke events, which will join the Olympic schedule at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Of the top-10 performers in history, six are active and can brag of career-best marks under 7:40. Leading the way is Australian Sam Short, whose top effort of 7:37.76 is the Oceania record and makes him the No. 4 performer of all-time. He is followed by Germany’s Sven Schwarz, who earlier this month broke the European record with a swim of 7:38.12.
Sitting sixth and ninth in the all-time rankings are the past two Olympic champions, Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen (7:38.19) and American Bobby Finke (7:38.67). Meanwhile, Germany’s Lukas Maertens checks in at No. 10 of all-time, thanks to his former national record of 7:39.10.
Also in that list is the formerly banned Sun Yang of China, who has returned to racing after serving a doping suspension. Whether Sun extends to the 800 freestyle is uncertain, but his primary intention will likely be on the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle.
The likes of Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri and Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaouadi could also factor into the podium chase at the World Champs. Paltrinieri, with a personal best of 7:39.27, is a two-time Olympic medalist in the event, having earned silver in Tokyo and bronze in Paris last summer. As for Jaouadi, he was fourth at the 2024 Olympics and earned bronze in the 800 free at the World Short Course Championships.
Germans Florian Wellbrock and Oliver Klemet have already been sub-7:45 this year, but rank only third and fourth in their own country. The likes of France’s David Aubry and Turkey’s Kuzey Tuncelli could be in the mix in Singapore, too.
No, the world record in the 800 freestyle seems untouchable at the moment. Nonetheless, the event is stacked with elite performers and has the potential to be a highlight race at the next edition of the World Championships.
All-Time Top-10 Performers (800 Freestyle)
1. Zhang Lin (China) – 7:32.12
2. Ous Mellouli (Tunisia) – 7:35.27
3. Ahmed Hafnaoui (Tunisia) – 7:37.00
4. Sam Short (Australia) – 7:37.76
5. Sven Schwarz (Germany) – 7:38.12
6. Daniel Wiffen (Ireland) – 7:38.19
7. Sun Yang (China) – 7:38.57
8. Grant Hackett (Australia) – 7:38.65
9. Bobby Finke (United States) – 7:38.67
10. Lukas Maertens (Germany) – 7:39.10
(Bold Indicates Active Athlete)