400 m is a common track running event. It is the longest common sprint distance. Sprints are short running races in athletics. They are roughly classified as events in which top runners will not have to "pace themselves" but can run as fast as On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and race in separate lanes for the entire course. An athlete needs to combine both strength and speed in order to compete successfully. In the United States, athletes previously competed in the 440-yard dash (402. 336 m) instead of the 400 m, though this distance is now obsolete.
The current men's world record is held by Michael Johnson, with a time of 43. Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13 1967 in 18 seconds. The world indoor record holder is Kerron Clement, in 44. Kerron Clement (born 31 October 1985 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) is an American sprinter who holds the indoor world record 57 seconds. The current women's world record is held by Marita Koch, with a time of 47. Marita Koch (born 18 February 1957 in Wismar, East Germany) is a former sprint athlete. 60 seconds. The reigning Olympic champions are Jeremy Wariner and Tonique Williams-Darling. Jeremy Mathew Wariner (born 31 January[[ 984]] in Irving Texas) is an American track athlete specializing in the 400 meters. Tonique Williams-Darling (born January 17, 1976) is a Bahamian sprint athlete. The Paralympic world record of 46. 56 seconds is held by Oscar Pistorius. Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius (born 22 November 1986 is a South African Paralympic runner [1]
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Famous 400 m runners
Top all-time athletes - men
(Updated January 7, 2008. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common )
| Rank | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 43. 18 | Michael Johnson |  United States |
August 26, 1999 | Seville |
| 2. Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13 1967 in The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Seville ( Spanish: Sevilla, see also different names) is the artistic cultural and financial capital of southern Spain. | 43. 29 | Harry (Butch) Reynolds | United States |
August 17, 1988 | Zürich |
| 3. Harry ("Butch" Reynolds (born June 8 1964 in Akron Ohio) is a former 400 metres sprinter representing the United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Zürich (, Zürich German: Züri, Zurich, Zurigo; in English generally Zurich) is the largest city in Switzerland and capital of the | 43. 45 | Jeremy Wariner | United States |
August 31, 2007 | Osaka |
| 4. Jeremy Mathew Wariner (born 31 January[[ 984]] in Irving Texas) is an American track athlete specializing in the 400 meters. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū | 43. 50 | Quincy Watts | United States |
August 5, 1992 | Barcelona |
| 5. Quincy D Watts (born June 19, 1970) is a former American athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1992 Summer Olympics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Barcelona ( Catalan bəɾsəˈlonə Spanish baɾθeˈlona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia | 43. 81 | Danny Everett | United States |
June 26, 1992 | New Orleans |
| 6. Danny Everett (born November 1, 1966) is a 400 metre runner from the United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana | 43. 86 | Lee Evans | United States |
October 18, 1968 | Mexico City |
| 7. Lee Edward Evans (born February 25, 1947) is a former American athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico | 43. 87 | Steve Lewis | United States |
September 28, 1988 | Seoul |
| 8. For the British Pole Vaulter see Steven Lewis Steven ("Steve" Earl Lewis (born May 16, 1969) is a former American The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Seoul ( soʊl is the Capital and largest City of South Korea. | 43. 96 | LaShawn Merritt | United States |
August 31, 2007 | Osaka |
| 9. LaShawn Merritt (born June 27 1986 is an American sprinter who specializes in the 400 meters. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū | 43. 97 | Larry James | United States |
October 18, 1968 | Mexico City |
| 10. George Lawrence ("Larry" James (born November 6, 1947) is a former American athlete. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico | 44. 05 | Angelo Taylor | United States |
June 23, 2007 | Indianapolis |
Top all-time athletes - women
(Updated September 17, 2006. Angelo F Taylor (born December 29 1978 is an American athlete, winner of 400 m hurdles at the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. )
| Rank | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 47. 60 | Marita Koch |  East Germany |
6 October 1985 | Canberra |
| 2. Marita Koch (born 18 February 1957 in Wismar, East Germany) is a former sprint athlete. The German Democratic Republic ( GDR; Deutsche Demokratische Republik DDR; commonly known in English as East Germany) was a Socialist state Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. | 47. 99 | Jarmila Kratochvílová |  Czechoslovakia |
10 August 1983 | Helsinki |
| 3. (ˈjarmɪla ˈkratoxviːlovaː (born 26 January 1951 in Golčův Jeníkov) is a former late-developing Czech 400 m runner whose career was Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. | 48. 25 | Marie-José Pérec |  France |
29 July 1996 | Atlanta |
| 4. Marie-José Pérec (born May 9, 1968) is a French athlete, specialised in the 200 and 400 m, and a triple Olympic champion This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Events 1014 - Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) | 48. 27 | Olga Vladykina-Bryzgina |  Soviet Union |
6 October 1985 | Canberra |
| 5. Olga Arkad'evna Bryzgina ( Maiden name Olga Arkad'evna Vladykina; Ольга Аркадьевна Брызгина (Владыкина (born June 30 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. | 48. 59 | Taťána Kocembová | Czechoslovakia |
10 August 1983 | Helsinki |
| 6. Taťána Kocembová (ˈtacaːna ˈkotsembovaː (born May 2, 1962) is a retired 400 metres runner who represented Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Helsinki (in Finnish;) or Helsingfors (in Swedish;) is the Capital and largest city of Finland. | 48. 63 | Cathy Freeman |  Australia |
29 July 1996 | Atlanta |
| 7. Catherine Astrid Salome Freeman, OAM (known as Cathy Freeman) (born 16 February 1973 is an Australian sprinter who is particularly associated with For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Events 1014 - Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) | 48. 70 | Sanya Richards | United States |
16 September 2006 | Athens |
| 8. Sanya Richards (born February 26, 1985 in Kingston Jamaica) is a Track and field athlete who competes internationally for the United The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Athens (ˈæθənz Αθήνα Athina,) the Capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery as one of the world's | 48. 83 | Valerie Brisco-Hooks | United States |
6 August 1984 | Los Angeles |
| 9. Valerie Ann Brisco-Hooks (born July 6, 1960 in Greenwood Mississippi) won three gold medals as an Olympic Track and field The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1538 - Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West | 48. 89 | Ana Guevara |  Mexico |
27 August 2003 | Paris Saint-Denis |
| 10. Ana Gabriela Guevara Espinoza (born March 4, 1977, in Nogales, Sonora. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Saint-Denis is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. | 49. 05 | Chandra Cheeseborough | United States |
6 August 1984 | Los Angeles |
Other well-known athletes
References
External links
- International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) – official site
- World Record progression in athletics
- World Masters Athletics - official site
- Masters T&F World Rankings
- Athletics all-time performances