only two athletes have defended the olympic 1500 m title: tatyana kazankina became the first person to win two gold medals in the event in 1980 (repeating her 1976 win) and, soon after, sebastian coe became the first man to do so in 1980 and 1984. no athlete of either sex has won more than two medals. historically, athletes in this event have also had success in the 800 metres at the olympics. kelly holmes was the last athlete to win both events at the same olympics in 2004. 2012 1500m gold medalist taoufik makhloufi made both podiums without winning gold in 2016.