World record progression 800 metres freestyle explained

See main article: List of world records in swimming. The first world record in the women's 800 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1931. The women's 880 yard freestyle had been a FINA-recognized world record event since 1919. However, in 1931 FINA decreed that only performances from 1931 onward would be eligible for world record consideration in the 800 metres freestyle. Thus Helene Madison's 1930 world record of 11:41.2 in the 880 yard freestyle was not considered a world record in the 800 metres freestyle even though it was over a longer distance and substantially faster than Yvonne Godard's 1931 world record of 12:18.8 in the 800 metres freestyle. In 1933, Lenore Kight swam the 880 yard freestyle in 11:44.0, which FINA recognised as a world record in the 800 metres freestyle but not in the 880 yard freestyle. This irregularity was finally resolved in 1935, when Kight's 11:34.4 in the 880 yard freestyle broke the records for both the 880 yard freestyle and the 800 metres freestyle.^[1] Because of this situation, the world records for the 880 yard freestyle for women from 1919 to 1930 are included below.

Men

Long course

.

Short course

Women

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

• Correct as of July 2024^[2]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	7:32.12		29 July 2009	Rome
2	7:35.27		29 July 2009	Rome
3	7:37.00		26 July 2023		[3]
4	7:37.76		26 July 2023	Fukuoka	[4]
5	7:38.19		30 July 2024		[5]
6	7:38.57		27 July 2011
7	7:38.65		27 July 2005
8	7:38.67		26 July 2023	Fukuoka	[6]
9	7:39.16		24 July 2001	Fukuoka
10	7:39.27		24 July 2019
11	7:39.48		26 July 2023	Fukuoka	[7]
12	7:39.63		21 June 2022	Budapest	[8]
13	7:40.05		21 June 2022	Budapest	[9]
14	7:40.77		26 July 2017	Budapest
15	7:41.28		24 July 2019	Gwangju
16	7:41.73		26 July 2017	Budapest
17	7:41.77		13 August 2023	Dublin	[10]
18	7:41.86		27 July 2011	Shanghai
19	7:42.07		29 July 2024	Paris	[11]
20	7:42.08		24 July 2019	Gwangju
21	7:42.47		18 April 2023	Kazan
22	7:42.51		14 June 2021
23	7:42.86		29 July 2024	Paris	[12]
24	7:43.37		13 August 2022	Rome	[13]
25	7:43.60		31 July 2013

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 7:43.60:

• Bobby Finke also swam 7:38.75 (2024), 7:39.36 (2022), 7:40.34 (2023), 7:41.87 (2021), 7:42.72 (2021), 7:43.00 (2024), 7:43.32 (2022).
• Daniel Wiffen also swam 7:39.19 (2023), 7:40.94 (2024), 7:41.53 (2024).
• Gregorio Paltrinieri also swam 7:39.38 (2024), 7:40.22 (2020), 7:40.81 (2015), 7:40.86 (2022), 7:41.19 (2022), 7:41.96 (2021), 7:42.11 (2021), 7:42.33 (2016), 7:42.44 (2017), 7:42.48 (2024), 7:42.98 (2024), 7:43.01 (2014).
• Sun Yang also swam 7:39.96 (2015), 7:41.36 (2013).
• Grant Hackett also swam 7:40.34 (2001), 7:43.16 (2005).
• Samuel Short also swam 7:40.39 (2023), 7:40.90 (2023), 7:42.96 (2023).
• Mykhailo Romanchuk also swam 7:41.28 (2021), 7:42.33 (2021), 7:42.49 (2019), 7:42.61 (2021), 7:42.96 (2018), 7:43.08 (2023).
• Lukas Märtens also swam 7:41.43 (2022), 7:42.04 (2023), 7:42.14 (2023), 7:42.65 (2022), 7:43.52 (2024).
• Ian Thorpe also swam 7:41.59 (2001).
• Gabriele Detti also swam 7:41.64 (2017), 7:42.74 (2014), 7:43.06 (2016), 7:43.52 (2016).
• Florian Wellbrock also swam 7:41.77 (2021), 7:42.68 (2021), 7:42.99 (2023), 7:43.03 (2019), 7:43.10 (2022).
• Oussama Mellouli also swam 7:41.82 (2009).
• Ryan Cochrane also swam 7:41.92 (2009).
• Ahmed Hafnaoui also swam 7:41.97 (2023).
• Jack McLoughlin also swam 7:42.64 (2019).
• Ahmed Jaouadi also swam 7:42.87 (2024).
• Elijah Winnington also swam 7:42.95 (2024).
• Sven Schwarz also swam 7:43.43 (2023), 7:43.59 (2024).
• David Aubry also swam 7:43.59 (2024).

Men short course

• Correct as of November 2024^[14]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	7:20.46		10 December 2023	Otopeni	[15]
2	7:23.42		20 July 2008	Melbourne
3	7:25.73		21 November 2020	Budapest
4	7:25.78		21 November 2020	Budapest
5	7:27.94		7 November 2021	Kazan	[16]
6	7:27.99		7 November 2021	Kazan
7	7:29.17		16 November 2012	Angers
8	7:30.32		10 December 2023	Otopeni	[17]
9	7:30.41		24 August 2022	Sydney	[18]
10	7:31.18		19 December 2009	Manchester
11	7:31.89		21 November 2020	Budapest
12	7:32.77		18 December 2020	Helsingør
13	7:33.01		5 November 2023	Espoo	[19]
14	7:33.12		17 December 2022	Melbourne	[20]
15	7:33.23		16 November 2018	Plzeň
16	7:33.44		21 November 2015	Wuppertal
17	7:33.60		19 December 2015	Lublin
18	7:33.69		21 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	[21]
19	7:33.78		17 December 2022	Melbourne	[22]
20	7:33.84		3 November 2024	Montpellier
21	7:33.85		7 November 2021	Kazan
22	7:33.94		19 December 2009	Great Britain
23	7:33.97		24 November 2024	Saint Petersburg	[23]
24	7:33.99		20 December 2013	Great Britain
25	7:34.08		10 December 2023	Otopeni	[24]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 7:34.08:

• Grant Hackett also swam 7:25.28 (2001).
• Daniel Wiffen also swam 7:25.96 (2022), 7:33.38 (2023).
• Henrik Christiansen also swam 7:29.39 (2019), 7:30.79 (2019), 7:31.48 (2022), 7:33.28 (2019).
• Gregorio Paltrinieri also swam 7:29.99 (2022), 7:31.33 (2015).
• Mykhailo Romanchuk also swam 7:31.20 (2023), 7:31.92 (2018), 7:33.40 (2021), 7:33.41 (2023).
• David Aubry also swam 7:31.60 (2019).
• Florian Wellbrock also swam 7:32.85 (2021).
• Victor Johansson also swam 7:33.11 (2023).
• Felix Auböck also swam 7:34.00 (2023).
• Sven Schwarz also swam 7:34.05 (2023).

Women long course

• Correct as of August 2024^[25]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	8:04.79		12 August 2016
2	8:11.39		8 February 2024	Orlando	[26]
3	8:12.29		3 August 2024		[27]
4	8:13.00		3 August 2024	Paris	[28]
5	8:13.31		29 July 2023	Fukuoka	[29]
6	8:14.10		16 August 2008
7	8:14.55			3 August 2024	Paris	[30]
8	8:14.64		30 March 2019
9	8:15.11		22 October 2023		[31]
10	8:15.54		21 August 2014	Berlin
11	8:15.92		1 August 2009	Rome
12	8:16.22		20 August 1989	Tokyo
13	8:16.33		10 April 2019	Richmond
14	8:16.37		12 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro
15	8:16.43		27 July 2019	Gwangju
16	8:16.66		1 August 2009	Rome
17	8:16.70		22 April 2009
18	8:16.79		2 August 2022	Birmingham	[32]
19	8:17.05		29 July 2021	Tokyo	[33]
20	8:17.21		1 August 2009	Rome
21	8:17.53		17 February 2024		[34]
22	8:17.65		8 August 2015
23	8:18.00		5 April 2023	Auckland	[35]
24	8:18.14		5 June 2016
25	8:18.52		31 March 2007	Melbourne

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 8:18.52:

• Katie Ledecky also swam 8:06.68 (2016), 8:07.07 (2023), 8:07.27 (2018), 8:07.39 (2015), 8:08.04 (2022), 8:08.87 (2023), 8:09.13 (2018), 8:09.27 (2022), 8:10.32 (2016), 8:10.70 (2019), 8:10.91 (2016), 8:11.00 (2014), 8:11.04 (2024), 8:11.08 (2018), 8:11.21 (2015), 8:11.35 (2014), 8:11.50 (2017), 8:11.70 (2018), 8:11.83 (2022), 8:11.98 (2018), 8:12.03 (2022), 8:12.57 (2021), 8:12.68 (2017), 8:12.81 (2021), 8:12.86 (2016), 8:12.95 (2024), 8:13.02 (2015), 8:13.06 (2022), 8:13.20 (2016), 8:13.25 (2015), 8:13.56 (2023), 8:13.58 (2019), 8:13.64 (2021), 8:13.86 (2013), 8:13.90 (2022), 8:14.07 (2023), 8:14.12 (2024), 8:14.24 (2019), 8:14.40 (2018), 8:14.48 (2021), 8:14.52 (2024), 8:14.59 (2019), 8:14.62 (2021), 8:14.63 (2012), 8:14.70 (2023), 8:14.95 (2019), 8:15.29 (2015), 8:15.44 (2017), 8:15.60 (2023), 8:15.64 (2023), 8:15.67 (2021), 8:15.71 (2017), 8:15.91 (2023), 8:15.97 (2017), 8:16.18 (2014), 8:16.23 (2020), 8:16.39 (2021), 8:16.40 (2015), 8:16.61 (2021), 8:16.62 (2024), 8:16.90 (2014), 8:17.12 (2024), 8:17.13 (2024), 8:17.20 (2021), 8:17.29 (2023), 8:17.33 (2013), 8:17.42 (2019), 8:17.51 (2022), 8:17.70 (2024), 8:17.92 (2021), 8:18.47 (2014).
• Ariarne Titmus also swam 8:13.59 (2022, 2023), 8:13.83 (2021), 8:14.06 (2024), 8:15.57 (2021), 8:15.70 (2019), 8:15.88 (2023), 8:17.07 (2018), 8:17.87 (2024), 8:18.23 (2019).
• Simona Quadarella also swam 8:14.99 (2019), 8:16.45 (2018), 8:16.46 (2023), 8:17.32 (2021), 8:17.44 (2024), 8:17.95 (2019), 8:18.35 (2021).
• Li Bingjie also swam 8:15.46 (2017), 8:17.39 (2021).
• Jazmin Carlin also swam 8:16.17 (2016), 8:18.11 (2014), 8:18.15 (2015), 8:18.36 (2014).
• Lotte Friis also swam 8:16.32 (2013), 8:17.16 (2013), 8:18.20 (2011).
• Rebecca Adlington also swam 8:16.81 (2009), 8:17.51 (2011), 8:17.90 (2009), 8:18.06 (2008).
• Lani Pallister also swam 8:16.82 (2023), 8:17.77 (2022), 8:18.46 (2024).
• Leah Smith also swam 8:17.10 (2019), 8:17.21 (2018), 8:17.22 (2017), 8:17.23 (2019), 8:17.52 (2022).
• Janet Evans also swam 8:17.12 (1988).
• Sarah Köhler also swam 8:17.33 (2021).
• Joanne Jackson also swam 8:17.81 (2009).
• Isabel Gose also swam 8:17.82 (2024), 8:17.95 (2023).
• Wang Jianjiahe also swam 8:18.09 (2018).
• Jessica Ashwood also swam 8:18.41 (2015), 8:18.42 (2016).
• Paige Madden also swam 8:18.48 (2024).

Women short course

• Correct as of December 2023^[36]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	7:57.42		5 November 2022	Indianapolis	[37]
2	7:59.34		10 August 2013	Berlin
3	7:59.44		6 October 2018	Budapest
4	8:01.06		16 November 2012	Angers
5	8:01.22		7 August 2013	Netherlands
6	8:02.09		29 October 2022	Beijing	[38]
7	8:04.07		14 December 2022	Melbourne	[39]
8	8:04.53		12 December 2008	Rijeka
9	8:04.61		14 November 2009	Berlin
10	8:04.65		3 November 2021	Kazan	[40]
11	8:05.32		12 December 2008	Rijeka
12	8:07.12		5 November 2022	Indianapolis	[41]
13	8:07.67		7 December 2016	Windsor
14	8:07.99		18 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	[42]
15	8:08.00		14 October 2007	Germany
16	8:08.02		14 November 2009	Berlin
			14 November 2019	Berlin
18	8:08.16		4 December 2014	Doha
19	8:08.17		4 December 2014	Doha
20	8:08.25		10 April 2008	Manchester
21	8:08.26		18 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	[43]
22	8:08.41		24 October 2014	China
23	8:10.41		14 December 2022	Melbourne	[44]
24	8:11.13		14 December 2017	Herning
25	8:11.25		9 December 2005	Italy

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 8:11.25:

• Katie Ledecky also swam 8:00.58 (2022).
• Mireia Belmonte also swam 8:01.43 (2013), 8:03.41 (2014), 8:04.88 (2014), 8:05.18 (2013), 8:07.10 (2017), 8:07.47 (2017), 8:07.59 (2013), 8:07.90 (2013), 8:08.40 (2013), 8:08.57 (2014), 8:10.61 (2014), 8:10.88 (2014), 8:11.19 (2013).
• Lauren Boyle also swam 8:02.53 (2013), 8:06.15 (2013), 8:08.62 (2012), 8:10.47 (2013), 8:10.80 (2013).
• Li Bingjie also swam 8:02.90 (2021), 8:09.81 (2018), 8:10.08 (2021).
• Wang Jianjiahe also swam 8:03.86 (2018), 8:04.35 (2018), 8:07.59 (2018).
• Lotte Friis also swam 8:04.77 (2011), 8:07.53 (2011), 8:07.94 (2009), 8:08.02 (2009), 8:08.68 (2013), 8:09.84 (2013), 8:09.91 (2008), 8:10.24 (2012), 8:10.40 (2013), 8:10.99 (2012).
• Anastasiya Kirpichnikova also swam 8:06.44 (2021), 8:08.44 (2021), 8:08.48 (2023), 8:10.62 (2019).
• Lani Pallister also swam 8:06.71 (2024), 8:07.37 (2022), 8:10.12 (2020), 8:10.50 (2020).
• Simona Quadarella also swam 8:08.03 (2018), 8:10.30 (2019), 8:10.54 (2021).
• Sarah Köhler also swam 8:08.39 (2019), 8:10.54 (2018), 8:10.65 (2017).
• Leah Smith also swam 8:08.75 (2018), 8:10.03 (2015), 8:10.17 (2016).
• Kristel Kobrich also swam 8:09.25 (2009).
• Katinka Hosszú also swam 8:09.27 (2014), 8:09.36 (2014).
• Kate Ziegler also swam 8:09.68 (2007).
• Isabel Marie Gose also swam 8:10.60 (2021).
• Jazmin Carlin also swam 8:11.01 (2015).

References

• Web site: Olympic and World Records . . 2008-10-24 .
• Zwemkroniek
• Agenda Diana

Notes and References

1. Pat Besford, The Encyclopaedia of Swimming, London, St. Martin's Press, 1971.
2. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Long Course All-Time Ranking. FINA. 19 October 2021. 19 October 2021.
3. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 26 July 2023. 26 July 2023.
4. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 26 July 2023. 26 July 2023.
5. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. olympics.com. 30 July 2024. 1 August 2024.
6. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 26 July 2023. 26 July 2023.
7. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 26 July 2023. 26 July 2023.
8. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Results. omegatiming.com. 21 June 2022. 24 June 2022.
9. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Results. omegatiming.com. 21 June 2022. 24 June 2022.
10. 2023 LEN U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 3 FINALS LIVE RECAP. SwimSwam. Retta Race. 13 August 2023. 14 August 2023.
11. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Heats Results Summary. olympics.com. 29 July 2024. 1 August 2024.
12. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Heats Results Summary. olympics.com. 29 July 2024. 1 August 2024.
13. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Microplus Informatica. 13 August 2022. 29 August 2022.
14. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Short Course All-Time Ranking. World Aquatics. 9 December 2023.
15. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. 13 December 2023.
16. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. microplustiming.com. 7 November 2021. 17 November 2021.
17. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. 13 December 2023.
18. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Results. Swimming Australia. 24 August 2022. 7 September 2022.
19. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Results. swimify.com. 5 November 2023. 6 November 2023.
20. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 17 December 2022. 20 December 2022.
21. Web site: Men's 1500m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 21 December 2021. 21 December 2021.
22. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 17 December 2022. 20 December 2022.
23. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. russwimming.ru. 24 November 2024. 24 November 2024.
24. Web site: Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. 13 December 2023.
25. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Long Course All-Time Ranking. FINA. 19 October 2021. 19 October 2021.
26. MCINTOSH SWIMS HUGE 800 FREE BEST (8:11.39), FIRST SWIMMER TO BEAT LEDECKY IN OVER 13 YEARS. SwimSwam. Yanyan Li. 8 February 2024. 9 February 2024.
27. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. olympics.com. 3 August 2024. 8 August 2024.
28. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. olympics.com. 3 August 2024. 8 August 2024.
29. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 29 July 2023. 29 July 2023.
30. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. olympics.com. 3 August 2024. 8 August 2024.
31. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 22 October 2023. 22 October 2023.
32. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. birmingham2022.com. 2 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
33. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Heats Results. olympics.com. 29 July 2021. 19 August 2021. 29 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210729104815/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C74A_SWMW800MFR------------HEAT--------.pdf. dead.
34. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 17 February 2024. 19 February 2024.
35. MONIQUE WIERUSZOWSKI BREAKS LONGEST-STANDING LC NEW ZEALAND RECORD WITH 30.87 50 BREAST. SwimSwam. Ben Dornan. 5 April 2023. 8 April 2023.
36. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Short Course All-Time Ranking. World Aquatics. 6 December 2023.
37. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 5 November 2022. 6 November 2022.
38. Chinese Championships Again Highlighted By Several National Records; Yang Junxuan Sets Mark in 100 Freestyle. Swimming World. John Lohn. 29 October 2022. 30 October 2022.
39. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 14 December 2022. 7 January 2023.
40. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. microplustiming.com. 3 November 2021. 16 November 2021.
41. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 5 November 2022. 6 November 2022.
42. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 18 December 2021. 19 December 2021.
43. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Final Results. Omega Timing. 18 December 2021. 19 December 2021.
44. Web site: Women's 800m Freestyle Results. Omega Timing. 14 December 2022. 7 January 2023.