400_m

400 metres

400 metres

Sprint running event

The 400 metres, or 400-meter dash, is a sprint event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 for men and since 1964 for women. On a standard outdoor running track, it is one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and race in separate lanes for the entire course. In many[clarification needed] countries, athletes previously competed in the 440-yard dash (402.336 m)—which is a quarter of a mile and was referred to as the "quarter-mile"—instead of the 400 m (437.445 yards), though this distance is now obsolete.

Quick Facts Athletics, World records ...

Like other sprint disciplines, the 400 m involves the use of starting blocks. The runners take up position in the blocks on the "ready" command, adopt a more efficient starting posture which isometrically preloads their muscles on the "set" command, and stride forwards from the blocks upon hearing the starter's pistol. The blocks allow the runners to begin more powerfully and thereby contribute to their overall sprint speed capability. Maximum sprint speed capability is a significant contributing factor to success in the event, but athletes also require substantial speed endurance and the ability to cope well with high amounts of lactic acid to sustain a fast speed over a whole lap. While considered to be predominantly an anaerobic event, there is some aerobic involvement and the degree of aerobic training required for 400-metre athletes is open to debate.[1]

The current men's world record is held by Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa, with a time of 43.03 seconds. Van Niekerk is also the Olympic record holder. Steven Gardiner is the reigning Olympic Champion. Antonio Watson is the current world champion. Christopher Morales Williams is the world indoor record holder with a time of 44.49 seconds.[2] The current women's world record is held by Marita Koch, with a time of 47.60 seconds. Shaunae Miller-Uibo is the reigning women's Olympic champion. Marileidy Paulino is the current world champion. Femke Bol holds the women's world indoor record at 49.17 (2024). The men's T43 Paralympic world record of 45.07 seconds is held by Oscar Pistorius.[3]

An Olympic double of 200 metres and 400 m was first achieved by Valerie Brisco-Hooks in 1984, and later by Marie-José Pérec of France and Michael Johnson from the United States on the same evening in 1996. Alberto Juantorena of Cuba at the 1976 Summer Olympics became the first and so far the only athlete to win both the 400 m and 800 m Olympic titles. Pérec became the first to defend the Olympic title in 1996, Johnson became the first and only man to do so in 2000. From 31 appearances in the Olympic Games, the men's gold medalist came from the US 19 times.

Continental records

  • Updated 22 December 2020.[4][5]
More information Area, Men ...

All-time top 25

Men (outdoor)

See also: Men's 400 metres world record progression
More information Ath.#, Perf.# ...

Women (outdoor)

See also: Women's 400 metres world record progression
More information Ath.#, Perf.# ...

Annulled marks

Men (indoor)

  • Correct as of March 2024.[40]
More information Rank, Time ...

Notes

While recognized as world bests, the times of 44.52 by Michael Norman and 44.49 by Christopher Morales Williams are not ratified as world records.[54][55]

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 45.05:

Women (indoor)

  • Correct as of March 2024.[56]
More information Rank, Time ...

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 50.42:

Fastest relay splits

More information Split, Athlete ...

Most successful athletes

3 or more 400-metre victories at the Olympic Games and World Championships:

  • 6 wins: Michael Johnson (USA) - Olympic Champion in 1996 and 2000, World Champion in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999.
  • 4 wins: Marie-Jose Perec (FRA) - Olympic Champion in 1992 and 1996, World Champion in 1991 and 1995.
  • 3 wins: Cathy Freeman (AUS) - Olympic Champion in 2000, World Champion in 1997 and 1999.
  • 3 wins: Jeremy Wariner (USA) - Olympic Champion in 2004, World Champion in 2005 and 2007.
  • 3 wins: Christine Ohuruogu (GBR) - Olympic Champion in 2008, World Champion in 2007 and 2013.
  • 3 wins: LaShawn Merritt (USA) - Olympic Champion in 2008, World Champion in 2009 and 2013.
  • 3 wins: Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) - Olympic Champion in 2016, World Champion in 2015 and 2017.
  • 3 wins: Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) - Olympic Champion in 2016 and 2020, World Champion in 2022.

The Olympic champion has frequently won a second gold medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay. This has been accomplished 14 times by men; Charles Reidpath, Ray Barbuti, Bill Carr, George Rhoden, Charles Jenkins, Otis Davis, Mike Larrabee, Lee Evans, Viktor Markin, Alonzo Babers, Steve Lewis, Quincy Watts, Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt; and 4 times by women; Monika Zehrt, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Olga Bryzgina and Sanya Richards-Ross. All but Rhoden, Markin, Zehrt and Bryzgina ran on American relay teams. Injured after his double in 1996, Johnson also accomplished the feat in 2000 only to have it disqualified when his teammate Antonio Pettigrew admitted to doping.

Olympic medalists

Men

More information Games, Gold ...

Women

More information Games, Gold ...

World Championships medalists

Men

More information Championships, Gold ...

Medalists by country

More information Rank, Nation ...

Women

More information Championships, Gold ...

§ : awarded following doping disqualification.

Medalists by country

More information Rank, Nation ...

World Indoor Championships medalists

Men

More information Games, Gold ...

Women

More information Games, Gold ...
  • A Known as the World Indoor Games

Season's bests

More information Year, Time ...

Notes and references

  1. [1]
    Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, "Aerobic versus anaerobic training for success in various athletic events" by Shepard, R. J., 1978
  2. [2]
    Canadian teenager Christopher Morales Williams denied 400m indoor world record due to starting block issue
  3. [3]
    "Who is Oscar Pistorius ??? « Flightunit : News, Tips, Music, video, games & more". Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  4. [4]
    "Men's outdoor 400 Metres". iaaf.org. IAAF. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  5. [5]
    "Women's outdoor 400 Metres". iaaf.org. IAAF. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  6. [6]
    "Senior Outdoor 400 Metres Men". World Athletics. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  7. [7]
    "All-time men's best 400m". alltime-athletics.com. 8 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Men's 400m Results" (PDF). Rio 2016 official website. 14 August 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  9. [9]
    "400 Metres Result | 7th IAAF World Championships in Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  10. [10]
    "400 Metres Result | 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  11. [11]
    "61st ANNUAL MT. SAC RELAYS". rtspt.com. RecordTiming. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  12. [12]
    "400 Metres Result | 15th IAAF World Championships". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  13. [13]
    "400m Results" (PDF). IAAF. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  14. [14]
    "400 Metres Result | IAAF World Athletics Championships, DOHA 2019". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  15. [15]
    Karen Rosen (26 June 2022). "McLaughlin breaks world 400m hurdles record with 51.41 at US Championships". World Athletics. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  16. [16]
    Cathal Dennehy (29 May 2022). "Norman reigns in fierce 400m clash with record run in Eugene". World Athletics. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  17. [17]
    "Wanda Diamond League Hayward Field - Eugene, OR (USA) 27th - 28th May 2022 Results 400m Men" (PDF). Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  18. [18]
    "IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE Lausanne (SUI) 6 July 2017 Results 400m Men" (PDF). Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  19. [19]
    Roy Jordan (28 July 2019). "Kendricks tops 6.06m in Des Moines". IAAF. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  20. [20]
    "400m Results". IAAF. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  21. [21]
    Karen Rosen (26 June 2022). "McLaughlin breaks world 400m hurdles record with 51.41 at US Championships". World Athletics. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  22. [22]
    "400m Results" (PDF). www.sep-olympic.ch. 5 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  23. [23]
    "400m". Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  24. [24]
    Jess Whittington (12 June 2021). "Burrell breaks world U20 400m hurdles record in Eugene". World Athletics. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  25. [25]
    "Tebogo sends Gaborone into raptures with 200m triumph". World Athletics. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  26. [26]
    "400m Men - Heats Results". IAAF. 23 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  27. [27]
    "Men's 400m Semifinal Results Summary" (PDF). olympics.com. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  28. [28]
    Roy Jordan (9 June 2018). "Benjamin and Norman break collegiate records at NCAA Championships". IAAF. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  29. [29]
    "400m Results" (PDF). sportresult.com. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  30. [30]
    "Men's 400m Results".
  31. [31]
    "Toplists - All time Top lists - Senior Outdoor 400 Metres Women". World Athletics. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  32. [32]
    "All-time women's best 400m". alltime-athletics.com. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  33. [33]
    "400m Results" (PDF). IAAF. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  34. [34]
    "McLaughlin-Levrone cruises to 400m win at US Championships | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  35. [35]
    "400m Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  36. [36]
    "Wilson clocks 49.13 for 400m, Hibbert breaks world U20 triple jump record with 17.87m | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  37. [37]
    "400m Result" (PDF). flashresult.ncaa.com. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  38. [38]
    "400m Results". IAAF. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  39. [39]
    Pavitt, Michael (26 November 2019). "CAS confirm bans against two Russian athletes over London 2012 retests". Inside the Games. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  40. [40]
    "Toplists - All time Top lists - Senior Indoor 400 Metres Men". World Athletics. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  41. [41]
    "Men 400m Result". flashresults.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  42. [42]
    "400m Result" (PDF). Flash Results. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  43. [43]
    "Results: Men 400 M (Finals)". Flash Results. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  44. [44]
    "400m Result" (PDF). flashresults.com. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  45. [45]
    "Alfred, Garland and Wilson threaten world records at NCAA Indoor Championships | REPORT | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  46. [46]
    "400m Results". flashresults.com. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  47. [47]
    "Men 400 M". flashresults.ncaa.com. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  48. [48]
    "400m Result" (PDF). Flash Results. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  49. [49]
    "400m Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  50. [50]
    "400m Result" (PDF). flashresults.com. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  51. [51]
    "400m Final Results" (PDF). EAA. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  52. [52]
    "400m Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  53. [53]
    "400m Result" (PDF). flashresults.com. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  54. [54]
    "Norman lines up tilt at official world indoor 400m record in New York". 12 February 2021.
  55. [55]
    https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/trackandfield/christopher-morales-williams-400m-indoor-world-record-not-ratified-1.7127384
  56. [56]
    "Senior Indoor 400 Metres Women". iaaf.org. IAAF. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  57. [57]
    "400m Final Result" (PDF). World Athletics. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  58. [58]
    "FLASH: Bol breaks world indoor 400m record with 49.24 in Apeldoorn". World Athletics. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  59. [59]
    "Weekend Recap: All-Time Marks Canvas Conference Championships Weekend". USTFCCCA. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  60. [60]
    Taylor Dutch (14 February 2021). "Three American Records and 10 National Records Fall at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix". runnersworld.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  61. [61]
    "400m Final Result" (PDF). World Athletics. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  62. [62]
    "Weekend Recap: All-Time Marks Canvas Conference Championships Weekend". USTFCCCA. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  63. [63]
    "Women 400m Result". flashresults.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  64. [64]
    "4x400 Metres Relay Icons". Retrieved 10 June 2018. Jeremy Wariner: The two-time world 400m champion was a key member of the USA 4x400m squad in the 2000s, picking up two Olympic relay golds and three world titles. He also boasts the second-fastest relay split in history with his 42.93 from the 2007 World Championships.
  65. [65]
    "Men's 4×400m Relay Results". ncaa.com. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  66. [66]
    "Men's 4 x 400m Relay Final Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 400 metres.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 400_m, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.