400 metres at the Olympics - wikipedia 400 metres at the Olympics 400 metres at the Olympic Games The 2012 Olympic men 's 400 m final Overview Sport Athletics Gender Men and women Years held Men : 1896 -- 2016 Women : 1964 -- 2016 Olympic record Men 43.03 Wayde van Niekerk ( 2016 ) Women 48.25 Marie - José Pérec ( 1996 ) Reigning champion Men Wayde van Niekerk ( RSA ) Women Shaunae Miller ( BAH ) The 400 metres at the Summer Olympics has been contested since the first edition of the multi-sport event. The men 's 400 m has been present on the Olympic athletics programme since 1896 but nearly seventy years passed before the introduction of the women 's 400 m, which has been held continuously since the 1964 Games. It is the most prestigious 400 m race at elite level. The competition format typically has two qualifying rounds leading to a final race between eight athletes. The Olympic record for the men 's race was set in 2016, and the record for the women 's race was set in 1996. Wayde van Niekerk holds the men 's record of 43.03 seconds, breaking world and Olympic records that had been held by Michael Johnson since 1999 and 1996 respectively. Marie - José Pérec is the women 's record holder at 48.25 seconds. The men 's world record has been broken several times at the Olympics : in 1912, 1932, 1960, 1968, and 2016. Irena Szewińska is the only person to break the women 's world record at the competition, doing so in 1976. Only two athletes have won the event twice : Marie - José Pérec became the first to defend the title in 1996, then Michael Johnson followed with victories in 1996 and 2000. No athlete has won more than three medals. Several medalists in the event have also had success in the 200 metres at the Olympics : Johnson, Perec, Szewińska and Valerie Brisco - Hooks have all won titles at both distances. Athletes chosen for the event almost always form part of their nation 's team for the 4 × 400 metres relay at the Olympics. The United States is by far the most successful nation in the event, with 21 gold medals and 44 medals in total. The next most successful nation is Great Britain with three gold among its 13 medals. The 1908 men 's 400 metres saw the only walkover in Olympic history, as the American finalists refused to compete in a re-run due to British rules. Contents 1 Medal summary 1.1 Men 1.1. 1 Multiple medalists 1.1. 2 Medals by country 1.2 Women 1.2. 1 Multiple medalists 1.2. 2 Medalists by country 2 Olympic record progression 2.1 Men 2.2 Women 3 Intercalated Games 4 Non-canonical Olympic events 5 References 6 External links Medal summary Men Games Gold Silver Bronze 1896 Athens details Thomas Burke ( USA ) Herbert Jamison ( USA ) Charles Gmelin ( GBR ) 1900 Paris details Maxie Long ( USA ) William Holland ( USA ) Ernst Schultz ( DEN ) 1904 St. Louis details Harry Hillman ( USA ) Frank Waller ( USA ) Herman Groman ( USA ) 1908 London details Wyndham Halswelle ( GBR ) None awarded None awarded 1912 Stockholm details Charles Reidpath ( USA ) Hanns Braun ( GER ) Edward Lindberg ( USA ) 1920 Antwerp details Bevil Rudd ( RSA ) Guy Butler ( GBR ) Nils Engdahl ( SWE ) 1924 Paris details Eric Liddell ( GBR ) Horatio Fitch ( USA ) Guy Butler ( GBR ) 1928 Amsterdam details Ray Barbuti ( USA ) James Ball ( CAN ) Joachim Büchner ( GER ) 1932 Los Angeles details Bill Carr ( USA ) Ben Eastman ( USA ) Alex Wilson ( CAN ) 1936 Berlin details Archie Williams ( USA ) Godfrey Brown ( GBR ) James LuValle ( USA ) 1948 London details Arthur Wint ( JAM ) Herb McKenley ( JAM ) Mal Whitfield ( USA ) 1952 Helsinki details George Rhoden ( JAM ) Herb McKenley ( JAM ) Ollie Matson ( USA ) 1956 Melbourne details Charles Jenkins ( USA ) Karl - Friedrich Haas ( EUA ) Voitto Hellstén ( FIN ) Ardalion Ignatyev ( URS ) 1960 Rome details Otis Davis ( USA ) Carl Kaufmann ( EUA ) Malcolm Spence ( RSA ) 1964 Tokyo details Mike Larrabee ( USA ) Wendell Mottley ( TRI ) Andrzej Badeński ( POL ) 1968 Mexico City details Lee Evans ( USA ) Larry James ( USA ) Ron Freeman ( USA ) 1972 Munich details Vincent Matthews ( USA ) Wayne Collett ( USA ) Julius Sang ( KEN ) 1976 Montreal details Alberto Juantorena ( CUB ) Fred Newhouse ( USA ) Herman Frazier ( USA ) 1980 Moscow details Viktor Markin ( URS ) Rick Mitchell ( AUS ) Frank Schaffer ( GDR ) 1984 Los Angeles details Alonzo Babers ( USA ) Gabriel Tiacoh ( CIV ) Antonio McKay ( USA ) 1988 Seoul details Steve Lewis ( USA ) Butch Reynolds ( USA ) Danny Everett ( USA ) 1992 Barcelona details Quincy Watts ( USA ) Steve Lewis ( USA ) Samson Kitur ( KEN ) 1996 Atlanta details Michael Johnson ( USA ) Roger Black ( GBR ) Davis Kamoga ( UGA ) 2000 Sydney details Michael Johnson ( USA ) Alvin Harrison ( USA ) Greg Haughton ( JAM ) 2004 Athens details Jeremy Wariner ( USA ) Otis Harris ( USA ) Derrick Brew ( USA ) 2008 Beijing details LaShawn Merritt ( USA ) Jeremy Wariner ( USA ) David Neville ( USA ) 2012 London details Kirani James ( GRN ) Luguelín Santos ( DOM ) Lalonde Gordon ( TRI ) 2016 Rio details Wayde van Niekerk ( RSA ) Kirani James ( GRN ) LaShawn Merritt ( USA ) Multiple medalists Rank Athlete Nation Olympics Gold Silver Bronze Total Johnson, Michael Michael Johnson United States ( USA ) 1996 -- 2000 0 0 Lewis, Steve Steve Lewis United States ( USA ) 1988 -- 1992 0 Wariner, Jeremy Jeremy Wariner United States ( USA ) 2004 -- 2008 0 James, Kirani Kirani James Grenada ( GRN ) 2012 -- 2016 0 5 Merritt, LaShawn LaShawn Merritt United States ( USA ) 2008 -- 2016 0 6 McKenley, Herb Herb McKenley Jamaica ( JAM ) 1948 -- 1952 0 0 7 Butler, Guy Guy Butler Great Britain ( GBR ) 1920 -- 1924 0 Medals by country Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total United States ( USA ) 19 13 11 38 Great Britain ( GBR ) 7 Jamaica ( JAM ) 5 4 = South Africa ( RSA ) 0 4 = Soviet Union ( URS ) 0 6 = Cuba ( CUB ) 0 0 6 = Grenada ( GRN ) 0 8 Germany ( GER ) 0 9 = Canada ( CAN ) 0 9 = Trinidad and Tobago ( TRI ) 0 11 = Australia ( AUS ) 0 0 11 = Ivory Coast ( CIV ) 0 0 11 = Dominican Republic ( DOM ) 0 0 14 Kenya ( KEN ) 0 0 15 = Denmark ( DEN ) 0 0 15 = East Germany ( GDR ) 0 0 15 = Finland ( FIN ) 0 0 15 = Poland ( POL ) 0 0 15 = Sweden ( SWE ) 0 0 15 = Uganda ( UGA ) 0 0 The German total includes teams both competing as Germany and the Unified Team of Germany, but not East or West Germany. Women Games Gold Silver Bronze 1964 Tokyo details Betty Cuthbert ( AUS ) Ann Packer ( GBR ) Judy Amoore ( AUS ) 1968 Mexico City details Colette Besson ( FRA ) Lillian Board ( GBR ) Natalya Pechonkina ( URS ) 1972 Munich details Monika Zehrt ( GDR ) Rita Wilden ( FRG ) Kathy Hammond ( USA ) 1976 Montreal details Irena Szewińska ( POL ) Christina Brehmer ( GDR ) Ellen Streidt ( GDR ) 1980 Moscow details Marita Koch ( GDR ) Jarmila Kratochvílová ( TCH ) Christina Lathan ( GDR ) 1984 Los Angeles details Valerie Brisco - Hooks ( USA ) Chandra Cheeseborough ( USA ) Kathy Smallwood - Cook ( GBR ) 1988 Seoul details Olga Bryzgina ( URS ) Petra Müller ( GDR ) Olga Nazarova ( URS ) 1992 Barcelona details Marie - José Pérec ( FRA ) Olga Bryzgina ( EUN ) Ximena Restrepo ( COL ) 1996 Atlanta details Marie - José Pérec ( FRA ) Cathy Freeman ( AUS ) Falilat Ogunkoya ( NGR ) 2000 Sydney details Cathy Freeman ( AUS ) Lorraine Graham ( JAM ) Katharine Merry ( GBR ) 2004 Athens details Tonique Williams - Darling ( BAH ) Ana Guevara ( MEX ) Natalya Antyukh ( RUS ) 2008 Beijing details Christine Ohuruogu ( GBR ) Shericka Williams ( JAM ) Sanya Richards ( USA ) 2012 London details Sanya Richards - Ross ( USA ) Christine Ohuruogu ( GBR ) DeeDee Trotter ( USA ) 2016 Rio de Janeiro details Shaunae Miller ( BAH ) Allyson Felix ( USA ) Shericka Jackson ( JAM ) Multiple medalists Rank Athlete Nation Olympics Gold Silver Bronze Total Perec Marie - José Pérec France ( FRA ) 1992 -- 1996 0 0 2 = Bryzgina, Olga Olga Bryzgina Soviet Union ( URS ) Unified Team ( EUN ) 1988 -- 1992 0 2 = Freeman, Cathy Cathy Freeman Australia ( AUS ) 1996 -- 2000 0 2 = Ohuruogu, Christine Christine Ohuruogu Great Britain ( GBR ) 2008 -- 2012 0 5 Richards - Ross, Sanya Sanya Richards - Ross United States ( USA ) 2008 -- 2012 0 6 Lathan, Christina Christina Lathan East Germany ( GDR ) 1976 -- 1980 0 Medalists by country Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total France ( FRA ) 0 0 East Germany ( GDR ) 6 United States ( USA ) 6 Australia ( AUS ) 6 Great Britain ( GBR ) 6 7 Soviet Union ( URS ) 0 8 = South Africa ( RSA ) 0 0 8 = Poland ( POL ) 0 0 5 Bahamas ( BAH ) 0 0 9 Jamaica ( JAM ) 0 0 10 = Czechoslovakia ( TCH ) 0 0 10 = Mexico ( MEX ) 0 0 10 = Unified Team ( EUN ) 0 0 10 = West Germany ( FRG ) 0 0 14 = Colombia ( COL ) 0 0 14 = Nigeria ( NGR ) 0 0 14 = Russia ( RUS ) 0 0 Olympic record progression Men See also : Men 's 400 metres world record progression Time Athlete Nation Games Round Date 56.8 Jamison, Herbert Herbert Jamison United States ( USA ) 1896 Heat 1 54.2 Burke, Tom Tom Burke United States ( USA ) 1896 Final 50.4 Long, Maxie Maxie Long United States ( USA ) 1900 Heat 1 49.4 Long, Maxie Maxie Long United States ( USA ) 1900 Final 49.2 Hillman, Harry Harry Hillman United States ( USA ) 1904 Finl 48.4 Halswelle, Wyndham Wyndham Halswelle Great Britain ( GBR ) 1904 Quarterfinal 2 48.2 Reidpath, Charles Charles Reidpath United States ( USA ) 1912 Final 48.0 Imbach, Joseph Joseph Imbach Switzerland ( SUI ) 1924 Quarterfinal 6 47.8 Fitch, Horatio Horatio Fitch United States ( USA ) 1924 Semifinal 1 47.6 WR Liddell, Eric Eric Liddell Great Britain ( GBR ) 1924 Final 47.2 Carr, Bill Bill Carr United States ( USA ) 1932 Semifinal 1 46.2 WR Carr, Bill Bill Carr United States ( USA ) 1932 Final 46.2 Wint, Arthur Arthur Wint Jamaica ( JAM ) 1948 Final 45.9 Rhoden, George George Rhoden Jamaica ( JAM ) 1952 Final 45.9 Davis, Otis Otis Davis United States ( USA ) 1960 Quarterfinal 4 45.5 Davis, Otis Otis Davis United States ( USA ) 1960 Semifinal 1 44.9 WR Davis, Otis Otis Davis United States ( USA ) 1960 Final 44.83 Evans, Lee Lee Evans United States ( USA ) 1968 Semifinal 2 43.86 WR Evans, Lee Lee Evans United States ( USA ) 1968 Final 43.71 Watts, Quincy Quincy Watts United States ( USA ) 1992 Semifinal 1 43.50 Watts, Quincy Quincy Watts United States ( USA ) 1992 Final 43.49 Johnson, Michael Michael Johnson United States ( USA ) Final 43.03 WR van Niekerk, Wayde Wayde van Niekerk South Africa ( RSA ) 2016 Final Women See also : Women 's 400 metres world record progression Time Athlete Nation Games Round Date 54.4 Munkácsi, Antónia Antónia Munkácsi Hungary ( HUN ) 1964 Heat 1 53.1 Packer, Ann Ann Packer Great Britain ( GBR ) 1964 Heat 3 52.7 Packer, Ann Ann Packer Great Britain ( GBR ) 1964 Semifinal 1 52.0 Cuthbert, Betty Betty Cuthbert Australia ( AUS ) 1964 Final 52.03 Besson, Colette Colette Besson France ( FRA ) 1968 Final 51.94 Rendina, Charlene Charlene Rendina Australia ( AUS ) 1972 Heat 1 51.71 Balogh - Szomo, Györgyi Györgyi Balogh - Szomo Hungary ( HUN ) 1972 Quarterfinal 3 51.68 Seidler, Helga Helga Seidler East Germany ( GDR ) 1972 Semifinal 1 51.47 Zehrt, Monika Monika Zehrt East Germany ( GDR ) 1972 Semifinal 2 51.08 Zehrt, Monika Monika Zehrt East Germany ( GDR ) 1972 Final 50.48 Szewińska, Irena Irena Szewińska Poland ( POL ) 1976 Semifinal 1 49.28 WR Szewińska, Irena Irena Szewińska Poland ( POL ) 1976 Final 48.88 Koch, Marita Marita Koch East Germany ( GDR ) 1980 Final 48.83 Brisco - Hooks, Valerie Valerie Brisco - Hooks United States ( USA ) 1984 Final 48.65 Bryzhina, Olha Olha Bryzhina Soviet Union ( URS ) 1988 Final 48.25 Perec Marie - José Pérec France ( FRA ) Final Intercalated Games The 1906 Intercalated Games were held in Athens and at the time were officially recognised as part of the Olympic Games series, with the intention being to hold a games in Greece in two - year intervals between the internationally - held Olympics. However, this plan never came to fruition and the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) later decided not to recognise these games as part of the official Olympic series. Some sports historians continue to treat the results of these games as part of the Olympic canon. At this event a men 's 400 m was held and Paul Pilgrim, a 1904 Olympic gold medalist in the 4 - mile team race, won the competition. Wyndham Halswelle, later the 1908 Olympic champion in the 800 metres, was the runner - up while Australia 's Nigel Barker was the bronze medalist. Games Gold Silver Bronze 1906 Athens details Paul Pilgrim ( USA ) Wyndham Halswelle ( GBR ) Nigel Barker ( AUS ) Non-canonical Olympic events In addition to the main 1900 Olympic men 's 400 metres, a handicap competition was contested seven days after the final. Twenty men entered, with Hungary 's Pál Koppán, Germany 's Albert Werkmüller and Dave Hall of the United States being the only non-French entrants. Koppán was the victor with a handicap of 35 m, Werkmüller was second with a handicap of 35 m, and Frenchman André Lemonnier took third with a 26 m handicap. Two professionals - only events were also held in 1900. The 400 metres world record holder Edgar Bredin won with a time of 53.2 seconds, ahead of Legrain of France ( possibly Paul Legrain ) and his compatriot Jules Bouchoux. A handicap professional race was also held but the results have not been located. A handicap 440 - yard dash ( 402.3 m ) competition was held at 1904 Summer Olympics after the 1904 Olympic men 's 400 m race. An American, F. Darcy, won the race with a time of 50.8 ( 12 - yard start ). George Underwood, also of the United States, came second with no handicap and John Peck of Canada came third off a six - yard headstart. These events are no longer considered part of the official Olympic history of the 400 metres or the athletics programme in general. Consequently, medals from these competitions have not been assigned to nations on the all - time medal tables. References Participation and athlete data Athletics Men 's 400 metres Medalists. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2014 - 02 - 07. Athletics Women 's 400 metres Medalists. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2014 - 02 - 07. Olympic record progressions Mallon, Bill ( 2012 ). TRACK & FIELD ATHLETICS - OLYMPIC RECORD PROGRESSIONS. Track and Field News. Retrieved on 2014 - 02 - 07. Specific Jump up ^ London 1908 Olympic Games. Britannica. Retrieved on 2014 - 05 - 25. Jump up ^ 1906 Athina Summer Games. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2014 - 01 - 26. Jump up ^ Athletics at the 1906 Athina Summer Games : Men 's 400 metres. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2014 - 01 - 26. Jump up ^ Athletics at the 1900 Paris Summer Games : Men 's 400 metres, Handicap. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2014 - 06 - 28. ^ Jump up to : Handicap Olympic Athletics Events. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2014 - 04 - 18. Jump up ^ Athletics at the 1900 Paris Summer Games : Men 's 400 metres, Professionals. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2014 - 06 - 28. External links IAAF 400 metres homepage Official Olympics website Olympic athletics records from Track & Field News 400 metres at the Olympic Games Summary Men 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 Women 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 History of athletics events at the Olympic Games Active Track 100 m 200 m 400 m 800 m 1500 m 5000 m 10,000 m 4 × 100 m relay 4 × 400 m relay Sprint hurdles 400 m hurdles Steeplechase Field Shot put Discus throw Hammer throw Javelin throw Pole vault High jump Long jump Triple jump Others Combined events Marathon Race walking Defunct Cross country Team races 60 metres Weight throw Wheelchair racing Professional events List of medal sweeps in Olympic athletics List of athletics events Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=400_metres_at_the_Olympics&oldid=787216599 '' Categories : 400 metres at the Olympics 400 metres Athletics events at the Olympics Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Ελληνικά Français Suomi Edit links This page was last edited on 24 June 2017, at 03 : 38. 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Question: who won the gold medal for 400 metres run at two consecutive olympic games
Answer: Michael Johnson