Melvin W. Sheppard defeating Harold A. Wilson in the 1,500 meter race, with a world record time of 4:3.4 seconds. In 1908 Sheppard also won gold medals in the 1,600 meter medley relay and the 800 meter race, making him the only athlete to take first place in both the 800 and 1,500 meter races in the same Olympic Games.
