World record: Charles Kilpatrick, United States 1:53.4New York City, United States 21 September 1895
Olympic record: Edwin Flack, Australia 2:10.0 Athens, Greece 6 April 1896 NS. In the first heat of the first round David Hall set a new Olympic record with 1:59.0.
Alfred Tysoe crossing the line to win the final. Deloge led early, but was passed just
before the final straight by Tysoe and Cregan. Hall, who had set an Olympic record in
the heats, was just barely able to catch Deloge to finish third, but had no chance of passing the two leaders.