The men's 800 metres event at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia was held between 28 and 31 July 1996. There were a total of 57 competitors from 40 countries. The maximum number of athletes per nation had been set at 3 since the 1930 Olympic Congress. The event was won by Vebjørn Rodal of Norway, the nation's first title in the men's 800 metres and first medal in the event since 1956. Hezekiél Sepeng's silver was South Africa's first 800 metres medal since 1920.