Bobby Finke Breaks Sun Yang’s World Record In 1500 Free With 14:30.67

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

MEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE – FINALS

  • World Record: 14:31.02 – Sun Yang, CHN (2012)
  • World Junior Record: 14:46.09 – Franko Grgic, CRO (2019)
  • Olympic Record: 14:31.02 – Sun Yang, CHN (2012)
  • 2021 Winning Time: 14:39.65 – Bobby Finke, USA
  • 2021 Time to Win Bronze: 14:40.91

Podium

  1. Bobby Finke (USA) – 14:30.67 ***NEW WORLD RECORD***
  2. Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) – 14:34.55
  3. Daniel Wiffen (IRE) – 14:39.63
  4. David Bethlehem (HUN) – 14:40.91
  5. Kuzey Tuncelli (TUR) – 14:41.22
  6. Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN) – 14:43.35
  7. David Aubry (FRA) – 14:44.66
  8. Damien Joly (FRA) – 14:52.61

Bobby Finke swam to a new World Record in the men’s 1500 freestyle. Finke touched in a 14:30.67, just ahead of Sun Yang‘s record of a 14:31.02 set back at the 2012 London Olympics. Finke also broke his own Americas Record of a 14:31.59 that he swam last summer at the 2023 World Championships.

Split Comparison

Bobby Finke Bobby Finke Sun Yang
Finke vs. Finke split Previous PB 2024 Olympics Former WR
Finke vs. Yang Split
100m -0.59 56.06 55.47 55.8 -0.33
200m -0.39 58.51 58.12 58.51 -0.39
300m -0.7 58.8 58.10 58.32 -0.22
400m 0.2 58.49 58.69 58.87 -0.18
500m 0.34 58.38 58.72 58.12 0.60
600m 0.12 58.64 58.76 58.53 0.23
700m 0.09 58.56 58.65 58.59 0.06
800m 0.13 58.54 58.67 58.71 -0.04
900m -0.44 58.63 58.19 58.87 -0.68
1000m -0.38 58.73 58.35 58.78 -0.43
1100m -0.23 58.52 58.29 58.63 -0.34
1200m -0.03 58.43 58.40 58.91 -0.51
1300m 0.26 58.02 58.28 58.36 -0.08
1400m 0.47 58.17 58.64 58.53 0.11
1500m 0.23 55.11 55.34 53.49 1.85
Total Time -0.92 14:31.59 14:30.67 14:31.02 -0.45

Finke changed his approach to the race and went out fast, especially on the first 400 of the race where he was half of a second ahead of his old personal best.

In the past, Finke has been known for his speed at the end of the race, especially during the final 50 where he often passes his competition. He still had a strong final 50 today with a 26.27 coming home, the 2nd fastest final 50 of the field as only David Betlehem was faster in a 26.12. He also still negative split the race overall, flipping in a 7:15.88 at the 750 mark and coming home in a 7:14.79.

Finke needed to come home as fast as he did today as Sun was known for coming home strong, especially on the final 100. Sun notably came home in a 53.49 during his World Record but Finke was fast enough with a 55.34 today.

The win tonight also earned the US men their first (and only) individual gold medal of the meet. The US men continue their streak of winning at least one individual gold since the 1900 Olympics.

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Swim4Ever
3 months ago

Was there still an incentive of $1 Million US if an American set a WR in the 1,500?

John David Lundberg
Reply to  Swim4Ever
2 months ago

I think $1M bonus also was contingent on gold medal with it? Hope Bobby gets bonus–adjusted for inflation– since US Swimming announce bonus back in late 80’s early 90’s

Dman
3 months ago

Would be interesting to have a 2-3 day break between 800/1500 trials and finals like they do in athletics for the 1500/5k. We would have seen sub 14:30 for sure and possibly by 2-3 swimmers. Wiffen perhaps could have recovered more. That 14:30 by Finke is incredible given he swam 14:45 a little more than 24 hours earlier.

Last edited 3 months ago by Dman
Greg
3 months ago

In my empty living room, I raised my arms and teared up when he touched. What a gutsy effort and swim.

And did you see Nesty not only crying after the race but during it? That’s what sport is all about. Damn I love it! Having retired from coaching ten years ago, damn I miss that feeling.

Well done to all. Thank you for a thrilling, albeit adversity filled Olympic swimming experience.

Joe
3 months ago

If the winer was any other swimmer, the comments in here will be asking for doping tests

MTK
3 months ago

I cheered so hard for this in the final 100. Finke swam that so boldly and was rewarded.

Awsi Dooger
3 months ago

Bobby Finke finally swam a smart race. He always raves about Ledecky but until tonight never bothered to swim remotely like Ledecky.

When he finally got around to it he’s rewarded with a world record. Really shocking development.

The best thing about that race is we no longer have to look at 1500 world record splits with a mental asterisk given the final 100 of the prior record

Xman
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
3 months ago

I think he spent the last few years preparing to do this at the Olympics.

After the 2023 worlds he knew it was time to unleash.

In a way I’m glad he didn’t show his cards in the 800, because Paltrinieri would have been with him or past him.

PRF
3 months ago

Amazing swim Bobby has been Hungry for a WR ever since Tokyo and for him to finish the meet off in a basically fairytale ending is awesome. Probably the first time I’ve seen Nesty break down after a swim especially that type of swim congrats Bobby

Dan
3 months ago

Wasn’t Tuncelli’s time in the 1500 a new Jr World record?

EXCALIBUR
Reply to  Dan
2 months ago

yes

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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