What a special moment at the end.  Lagat had just fallen short in his biggest chance to be an Olympic champion (he never won Olympic gold), but he understood how significant and emotional it was for El Gerrouj who should have won the previous two Olympic finals but had to wait 8 years to finally win it.  Lagat showed genuine happiness for his great competitor in the true spirit of the Olympics.  I'll always admire him for the way he handled this defeat.   El Gerrouj deserved to win it by taking it on with 800m to go.  Incredibly he would go on later that week to beat the amazing Kenenisa Bekele in Bekele's specialty, the 5000m to cap an incredible career!!

That last scene when they are all there hugging is what the magic of true sportsman ship and respect for each other means. A beautiful moment is sports history.

If you look closely, Hicham ran almost the entire race 2-3 feet off the curb. An amazing performance for both him and Legat. Just absolutely awesome!!

what a finish, the king finally got a crown !

Gerrouj and Carolina Klüft were the 2 stars of the games 2004, as Usain Bol for the games 2008

What a race.  Final 800 meters was a blistering pace. Pure fury.

A wonderful finish & an awesome competition to the end. - Well done Guerrouj finally you have your Olympic Gold this day back in History. Lagat you were a great rival and a wonderful sportsman. Just superb moments in Sports History.

I'm Moroccan but no one talks about Rui Silva .. amazing performance

I can watch this 1,500 times

A real thriller. Two guys who both deserved to win. Just all time greats going to the line together. Great sportsmanship from Lagat. I'd have been heartbroken.

1.47.90 last 800m and last 400m 51.10 is absolutely insane with a 3:34 finish.

I can’t see anyone being able to reproduce this ever again

It's so rare to have such suspense filled finishes on 1500m AND 5000m finals, what a great year it was

Absolute CLASS Oly 1500m final with the KING bringing home the win...

El G is a LEGEND.

Está es mi final olímpica favorita!!!
Por fin Hicham El Guerrouj obtuvo el oro olímpico que tan esquivo le había Sido.
Gran y merecido Triunfo!!!
También es igualmente impresionante la actitud de Bernard Lagat, quien tenía la última oportunidad para ser campeón Olímpico tal como Hicham,no obstante ser segundo felicita afectuosamente a su gran rival.
Notable gesto que refleja la enorme calidad humana de un atleta excepcional también.

El último 400 de da Silva es estratosferico... Portugués. Chapeau.

I saw Rui Silva training in Spain, for this race, a few weeks before it.

Tank you so much hicham
The best race ever

Magnifico El Guerroy!!! Magnifico

والله انني كنت رياضي تونسي في العاب القوى والآن اتباهى بالمغاربه والجزائريين