The “International Ladies’ Games” in Gothenburg in 1926 had featured
a 1000m event, and it was deemed appropriate for the nearest distance
– 800m – to be included in the 1928 Games. The accepted best for the
event was 2:19.6 by Radke four weeks before Amsterdam. Radke’s
teammate Dollinger was the fastest in the heats with 2:22.4, while
Radke won the slowest heat in 2:26.0.
In the final Hitomi initially went to the front, but was soon passed by
Elfiede Wever (GER) and Dollinger, who were clearly running a team
race. Gentzel imposed herself on the race shortly after 200m. She was
in front at halfway, reached in 64.2 seconds – on pace to break the
world record by more than 10 seconds! Radke went to the front with
300m to go, and Gentzel faded in the finishing straight, leaving Hitomi
second some 3m behind the German. The 100m silver medallist
Rosenfeld showed great versatility in placing fifth. Just one of the
women collapsed afterwards, and none were seriously damaged by running
800m. Nevertheless, the sight of a number of women seemingly
distressed led the IAAF to remove the event from the Olympic programme
for 32 years. (1932-1956: Not held)
Germany
Japan
Sweden
Canada
United States
Poland
Germany
Netherlands
Australia
Belgium
France
Italy
Austria
Lithuania
