List of Olympic medalists in athletics (men)

This is the complete list of men's medalists in athletics at the Summer Olympics. It does not include the medalists from the Athletics at the 1906 Intercalated Games – these are no longer regarded as an official part of the Olympic chronology by the IOC.

Marathon
The distance of the marathon at the Olympics has varied in the early years, before being standardized at 42,195 m in 1924, the distance that was run at the 1908 Olympics. In other years, the distances have been:
 * 1896: 40,000 m (approximately)
 * 1900: 40260 m
 * 1904: 40000 m
 * 1912: 40200 m
 * 1920: 40750 m

Decathlon
At the St. Louis Games in 1904, the decathlon contest was entitled the All-Around competition, and consisted of: 100 yards dash, shot put, high jump, 800 yard walk, hammer throw, pole vault, 120 yards hurdles, 56 pounds weight throw, long jump, and a mile run.

1600 metres relay
The first relay event to be held at the Olympics, the 1600 m relay consisted of two legs over 200 m, one over 400 m, and one over 800 m. This "medley" relay was replaced by the 4 × 400 m relay at subsequent Olympics.

Javelin throw (two-handed)
This did not involve throwing with both hands. Distances recorded with each hand were added.

Triathlon
Consisted of long jump, shot put, and 100 yards.

Pentathlon
Consisted of long jump, javelin throw, 200 metres, discus throw, and 1500 metres.