The top two runners in each of the six heats qualified for the semifinals. There were two semifinals, and only the top three from each heat advanced to the final.
The event was won by the world recorder holder and the 800 metres Olympic champion, New Zealander Peter Snell in 1:47.6 seconds, setting a new Games record time. Snell won by 0.2 seconds ahead of the Olympic bronze medallist, Jamaican George Kerr and Tony Blue of Australia who won the bronze.[1]