Athletics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres

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Men's 400 metres
at the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad
Venue Stade de France, Paris, France [1]
Dates
  • 4 August 2024 (heats)
  • 5 August 2024 (repechage round)
  • 6 August 2024 (semi-finals)
  • 7 August 2024 (final)
Winning time43.40
Medalists
Gold medal icon.svg Quincy Hall Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Silver medal icon.svg Matthew Hudson-Smith Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain
Bronze medal icon.svg Muzala Samukonga Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
  2020
2028  

The men's 400 metres at the 2024 Summer Olympics was held in four rounds at the Stade de France in Paris, France, between 4-7 August 2024. This was the 30th time that the men's 400 metres was contested at the Summer Olympics. A total of 48 athletes were able to qualify for the event by entry standard or ranking.

The 2024 men's final was the fastest 400-meter race in Olympic history, collectively: five of the eight men ran under 43.87 seconds, with these five times ranking among the top 15 fastest Olympic times. [2]

The winning margin was 0.04 seconds which is the narrowest winning margin in the men's 400 metres at the Olympics since the introduction of fully automatic timing.

Steven Gardiner was a reigning champion in Tokyo 2021, but he did not start in the fourth heat.

Summary

The entire podium from Tokyo returned, Steven Gardiner, Anthony Zambrano and Kirani James. 31-year old veteran James was the 2012 Olympic champion and had a complete set of medals. Also returning was Tokyo 5th place and 2022 World Athletics champion Michael Norman. Reigning World Athletics champion Antonio Watson did not compete due to injury. The world leader for the season was 2022 World Athletics Championship bronze medalist Matthew Hudson-Smith.

World record holder Wayde van Niekerk did not compete, instead electing to run 200 metres. Owing to injury, Tokyo gold medalist Gardiner did not start in heat 4. Silver medalist Zambrano failed to qualify in heat 2, finishing seventh. Bronze medalist James qualified for his fourth Olympic 400m final in a row with a 43.78 win in Semifinal 2, the fastest semi-final time ever at the Olympics . Also qualified were Zambian Muzala Samukonga and American Christopher Bailey. 2023 World Championship bronze medalist Quincy Hall edged out fellow qualifier Trinidadian Jereem Richards with a 43.95 time to win Semifinal 1. Future 2025 World Champion Busang Kebinatshipi came third, failing to go through to the final. In Semifinal 3, Samuel Ogazi, Norman, and Hudson-Smith all progressed. [3]

As the final began, Richards quickly accelerated to take the lead, splitting 20.46 at the 200m mark. Hall, James, Hudson-Smith, and Samukonga formed a chasing pack, gradually catching up to Richards near the end of the turn. Coming off the turn, Hudson-Smith assumed the lead barely ahead of Richards and James, with Hall and Samukonga trailing. Further behind were Norman, Bailey, and Ogazi, whom were out of contention by this point. [4] Hall, visibly struggling and grimacing, had edged ahead of Samukonga and began bearing down on the three leaders. Down the final stretch, with the front three in stagnant positions, Hall surged forward, followed by Samukonga. With extraordinary effort, Hall passed James and Richards in quick succession, and caught up to Hudson-Smith at the front. James and Richards both fell behind, later to be surpassed by Samukonga as he attempted match Hall's move. Hudson-Smith was unable to hold off Hall, settling with silver as the American snatched gold in an exceptional comeback. Samukonga poached bronze from fourth place Richards, while James was demoted to fifth. Bailey and Ogazi finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Norman finished last and ran a time of 45.62, slower than his marks in the semi-final and qualifying heat. [5] [6]

Hall ran the fourth-fastest time in the event's history, while Hudson-Smith ran the fifth-fastest, the fastest non-winning time recorded and a new European record. Samukonga and Richards also both achieved national records. The first four finishers (Hall, Hudson-Smith, Samukonga, and Richards), achieved personal bests.

Background

The men's 400 metres has been present on the Olympic athletics programme since the inaugural edition in 1896. The reigning Olympic champion is Steven Gardiner from the Bahamas.

Global records before the 2024 Summer Olympics
RecordAthlete (nation)Time (s)LocationDate
World record Flag of South Africa.svg  Wayde van Niekerk  (RSA)43.03 [7] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil14 August 2016
Olympic record
World leadingFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  Matthew Hudson-Smith  (GBR)43.74 [8] London, United Kingdom20 July 2024
Area records before the 2024 Summer Olympics [9]
Area recordAthlete (nation)Time (s)
Africa ( records )Flag of South Africa.svg  Wayde van Niekerk  (RSA)43.03 WR
Asia ( records )Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Yousef Masrahi  (KSA)43.93
Europe ( records )Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Matthew Hudson-Smith  (GBR)43.74
North, Central America
and Caribbean
( records )
Flag of the United States.svg  Michael Johnson  (USA)43.18
Oceania ( records )Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Darren Clark  (AUS)44.38
South America ( records )Flag of Colombia.svg  Anthony Zambrano  (COL)43.93

Qualification

For the men's 400 metres event, the qualification period is between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. [10] 48 athletes are able to qualify for the event, with a maximum of three athletes per nation, by running the entry standard of 45.00 seconds or faster or by their World Athletics Ranking for this event. [10]

Results

Heats

The heats are scheduled to be held on 4 August, starting at 19:05 (UTC+2) in the evening. [1]
Qualification rule: First 3 in each heat (Q) advance to semi-finals, all others advance to Repechage round (except DNS, DNF, DQ). [11]

Heat 1

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
16 Matthew Hudson-Smith Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 44.78 Q
23 Christopher Bailey Flag of the United States.svg  United States 44.89 Q
34 Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 45.46 Q
47 Chidi Okezie Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 45.52
52 Kentaro Sato Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 45.60
68 Oleksandr Pohorilko Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 45.71
75 Deandre Watkin Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 45.97

[12]

Heat 2

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
16 Michael Norman Flag of the United States.svg  United States 44.10 Q, SB
29 Jereem Richards Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 44.31 Q
32 Busang Kebinatshipi Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 44.45 Q, PB
48 Ammar Ibrahim Flag of Qatar (3-2).svg  Qatar 44.66 PB
55 Sean Bailey Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 44.68
64 Attila Molnár Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 45.24
77 Anthony Zambrano Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 45.49
83 Michael Joseph Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 45.69

[13]

Heat 3

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
13 Muzala Samukonga Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 44.56 Q
22 Bayapo Ndori Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 44.87 Q
38 Luca Sito Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 44.99 Q
45 Jean Paul Bredau Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 45.07
57 Dylan Borlée Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 45.36
69 Yuki Joseph Nakajima Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 45.37
76 Lythe Pillay Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 45.60
84 Matěj Krsek Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 45.71

[14]

Heat 4

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
17 Quincy Hall Flag of the United States.svg  United States 44.28 Q
25 Samuel Ogazi Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 44.50 Q, PB
36 Reece Holder Flag of Australia.svg  Australia 44.53 Q, PB
48 Jonathan Sacoor Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 45.08
52 Alexander Ogando Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 45.11 SB
63 Elián Larregina Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 47.80
4 Steven Gardiner Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas DNS

[15]

Heat 5

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
16 Kirani James Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 44.78 Q
28 Christopher Morales Williams Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 44.96 Q
39 Aruna Darshana Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 44.99 Q, PB
44 Zakithi Nene Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 45.01
57 Leungo Scotch Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 45.28
63 Lionel Spitz Civil Ensign of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 45.81
75 Lucas Carvalho Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 45.85
82 Davide Re Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 46.74

[16]

Heat 6

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
15 Charlie Dobson Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 44.96 Q
27 Alexander Doom Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 45.01 Q
33 Jevaughn Powell Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 45.12 Q
49 João Coelho Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 45.35 SB
52 Cheikh Tidiane Diouf Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 45.59
68 Fuga Sato Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 46.13
74 Gilles Biron Flag of France.svg  France 46.19
6 Zablon Ekwam Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya DNF

[17]

Repechage round

The repechage round was scheduled to be held on 5 August, starting at 11:20 (UTC+2) in the morning. [1]
Qualification rule: First in each Repechage heat (Q) and next 2 fastest (q) advance to semi-finals.

Heat 1

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
14 Elián Larregina Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 45.36 Q
28 Gilles Biron Flag of France.svg  France 45.87
33 Lucas Carvalho Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 46.24
7 Davide Re Flag of Italy.svg  Italy DNS
2 Jonathan Sacoor Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium DNS
6 Fuga Sato Flag of Japan.svg  Japan DNS
5 Deandre Watkin Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica DNS

[18]

Heat 2

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
15 Lythe Pillay Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 45.40 Q
27 Matěj Krsek Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 45.53 PB
33 Oleksandr Pohorilko Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 45.59
46 Michael Joseph Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 45.64
54 Chidi Okezie Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 45.92
2 Yuki Joseph Nakajima Flag of Japan.svg  Japan DNS
8 Alexander Ogando Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic DNS

[19]

Heat 3

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
14 Zakithi Nene Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 44.81 Q
26 Leungo Scotch Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 45.33 q
33 Attila Molnár Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 45.45
45 Lionel Spitz Civil Ensign of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 45.51
8 Kentaro Sato Flag of Japan.svg  Japan DNS
7 Anthony Zambrano Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia DNS

[20]

Heat 4

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
13 Ammar Ibrahim Flag of Qatar (3-2).svg  Qatar 44.77 Q
28 Cheikh Tidiane Diouf Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 45.03 q, =PB
36 Jean Paul Bredau Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 45.40
47 Dylan Borlée Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 45.51
54 João Coelho Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 45.64
5 Sean Bailey Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica DNF

[21]

Semi-finals

The semi-finals were scheduled to be held on 6 August, starting at 19:35 (UTC+2) in the evening. [1]
Qualification rule: First 2 in each heat (Q) and next 2 fastest (q) advance to final.

Semifinal 1

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
15 Quincy Hall Flag of the United States.svg  United States 43.95 Q
27 Jereem Richards Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 44.33 Q
34 Busang Kebinatshipi Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 44.43
48 Charlie Dobson Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 44.48 PB
53 Ammar Ibrahim Flag of Qatar (3-2).svg  Qatar 44.63 PB
62 Cheikh Tidiane Diouf Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 44.94 NR
79 Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 45.60
86 Alexander Doom Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1:55.10

[22]

Semifinal 2

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
18 Kirani James Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 43.78 Q, SB
25 Muzala Samukonga Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 43.81 Q, NR
36 Christopher Bailey Flag of the United States.svg  United States 44.31 q, PB
47 Bayapo Ndori Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 44.43
59 Luca Sito Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 45.01
62 Elián Larregina Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 45.02
73 Lythe Pillay Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 45.24
4 Aruna Darshana Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka DQ TR17.2.3

[23]

Semifinal 3

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
17 Matthew Hudson-Smith Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 44.07 Q
26 Michael Norman Flag of the United States.svg  United States 44.26 Q
35 Samuel Ogazi Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 44.41 q, PB
49 Jevaughn Powell Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 44.91
54 Reece Holder Flag of Australia.svg  Australia 44.94
63 Zakithi Nene Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 45.06
72 Leungo Scotch Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 45.16
88 Christopher Morales Williams Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 45.25

[24]

Final

The final was scheduled to be held on 7 August, starting at 21:20 (UTC+2) in the evening. [1]

RankLaneAthleteNationTimeNotes
Gold medal icon.svg8 Quincy Hall Flag of the United States.svg  United States 43.40 PB, WL
Silver medal icon.svg6 Matthew Hudson-Smith Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 43.44 AR, NR
Bronze medal icon.svg7 Muzala Samukonga Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 43.74 NR
49 Jereem Richards Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 43.78 NR
55 Kirani James Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 43.87
62 Christopher Bailey Flag of the United States.svg  United States 44.58
73 Samuel Ogazi Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 44.73
84 Michael Norman Flag of the United States.svg  United States 45.62

[25]

References

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