Swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle

The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 2020 Summer Olympics was held on 30 July and 1 August 2021 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. It will be the event's twenty-seventh consecutive appearance, having been held at every edition since 1904.

Summary
In similar fashion to his victory in the inaugural 800 freestyle days days earlier, the U.S.' Robert Finke (14:39.65) came from behind to complete the distance double. In a close affair in the middle lanes, Finke split an astonishing 25.78 on the last 50 to overtake the field and become the first American to win gold in the event since Mike O'Brien in 1984.

In a battle against Germany's Florian Wellbrock, Ukraine's Mykhailo Romanchuk was able to outlast the German at the finish and claim silver in 14:40.66. 2019 World Champion Wellbrock held a 0.72 second advantage over Finke at the final turn but could not withstand the latter's finishing speed, settling for bronze in 14:40.91. Italy's defending champion Gregorio Paltrinieri (14:45.01), who posted a world leading time of 14:33.10 in 2020, faded over the last 150 m to take fourth in 14:45.01. Great Britain's Daniel Jervis (14:55.48), ROC's Kirill Martynychev (14:55.85), Austria's Felix Auboeck (15:03.47) and Ukraine's Serhiy Frolov (15:04.26) rounded out the championship field, with all four swimmers slower than their preliminary times.

Records
Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows.

Qualification
The Olympic Qualifying Time for the event is 15:00.99. Up to two swimmers per National Olympic Committee (NOC) can automatically qualify by swimming that time at an approved qualification event. The Olympic Selection Time is 15:28.02. Up to one swimmer per NOC meeting that time is eligible for selection, allocated by world ranking until the maximum quota for all swimming events is reached. NOCs without a male swimmer qualified in any event can also use their universality place.

Competition format
The competition consists of two rounds: heats and a final. The swimmers with the best 8 times in the heats advance to the final. Swim-offs are used as necessary to break ties for advancement to the next round.

Schedule
All times are Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)

Heats
The swimmers with the top 8 times, regardless of heat, advanced to the final.