Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres
Van Niekerk broke the world record in lane 8.
Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa won the gold medal by 0.73 seconds, breaking the world record and securing the nation's second gold in the event since 1920.
Quick Facts
- Event
- Men's 400 metres
- Games
- 2016 Summer
- Venue
- Olympic Stadium
- Dates
- 12 August 2016 (Heats)
- 13 August 2016 (semi-final)
- 14 August 2016 (final)
- Competitors
- 53
- Nations
- 35
- Win value
- 43.03 WR
- Gold
- Wayde van Niekerk
Facts from the source article.
Summary
Kirani James entered as the defending Olympic champion, having run 44.08 seconds that season, while LaShawn Merritt was the only man under 44 seconds in 2016 and topped the global rankings. Wayde van Niekerk, the 2015 world champion, ranked third. The three had all run under 44 seconds at the 2015 World Championships, a first for the sport. Baboloki Thebe and Machel Cedenio were the next fastest entrants. James led the first round with 44.93, and Cedenio also won his heat under 45 seconds. Pavel Maslák, David Verburg, and Rafał Omelko advanced as fastest losers; Martyn Rooney and Kevin Borlée were eliminated. In the semifinals, James posted a season's best of 44.02 to win his heat ahead of Merritt. Cedenio won the second semifinal with van Niekerk second, and Bralon Taplin won the third. Fastest losers Karabo Sibanda, Matthew Hudson-Smith, and Ali Khamis set personal bests. In the final, van Niekerk led by two metres at the turn, with Merritt slightly ahead of James. Van Niekerk increased his lead in the straight, while James overtook Merritt for silver. Cedenio finished fourth, Taplin faded, and 18-year-old Sibanda placed fifth. Van Niekerk's 43.03 broke Michael Johnson's 1999 world record by 0.15 seconds; Johnson was in the stadium commentating. Cedenio set Trinidad and Tobago's national record, and Ali Khamis set Bahrain's national record.
Background
This was the 28th appearance of the men's 400 metres, one of 12 athletics events held at every Summer Olympics. Six of the top seven finishers from 2012 returned, including champion Kirani James, along with 2008 gold medalist LaShawn Merritt, who had been injured in 2012. Wayde van Niekerk joined as a new challenger; James, Merritt, and van Niekerk were the three most recent world champions. Bahrain and Niger debuted in the event, and a member of the Refugee Olympic Team also competed. The United States made its 27th appearance, missing only the boycotted 1980 Games.
Qualification
The limit of three per nation had been in place since the 1930 Olympic Congress. Qualifying times could be achieved in IAAF-approved meets, including indoor events. NOCs without a male athlete meeting the standard could use a universality place to enter one athlete in the 400 metres.
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