1,500 metres, Men

There was little doubt that the Olympic 1500 m title would be retained by Clas Thunberg. He had clocked a 2:18.8 nine days earlier in Davos, and all of the other season best times were at least 1.8 seconds slower. In fact, Thunberg had not lost a 1500 m all season, winning this distance at the Finnish, European and World Championships. Behind him, the Norwegians were expected to divide the medals, with the Americans as outsiders.

The Americans opened, with Eddie Murphy (2:25.9) and Irving Jaffee (2:26.7) setting the pace. The third American, John O’Neil Farrell, was beaten by Roald Larsen of Norway, who also moved in front. Two more Norwegians followed, Olympic 5000 m champion Ivar Ballangrud and Wollert Nygren. The latter, a substitute for the sick Staksrud, had done well in Davos, but disappointed in St. Moritz. Not so for Ballangrud, who took the lead with a very decent 2:22.6. He didn’t have to wait long to see what that time was worth. The very next race paired Thunberg and Bernt Evensen, the fastest of the Norwegians in the )metric mile). The two fought a great race, and were still level coming out of the final bend. Thunberg then emerged as the better sprinter, winning in 2:21.1, eight tenths ahead of Evensen.

The twelfth place of Charlie Gorman is somewhat contentious. He showed up late for the start, but was allowed to skate against Siem Heiden in the final pair, but out of competition. The Official Report mentions that “his time would be noted, but would not count”. Yet, he is listed as 12th in several newspapers, while other 1928 sources do list him as out of competition.