400 metres
| 400 metres | |
|---|---|
| [[File: Error creating thumbnail: A 400 metres race at the CIF San Diego Championship 2007 | |
| Venue | N/A |
| Gender | Men and women |
| First held | 1896 (men), 1964 (women) |
| World Record (Men) | 43.03 seconds, Wayde van Niekerk, 2016 |
| World Record (Women) | 47.60 seconds, Marita Koch, 1985 |
The 400 metres is a sprint event in track and field competitions. It is one of the most demanding sprint races, requiring both speed and endurance. The race consists of one complete lap around a standard outdoor athletics track.
History[edit | edit source]
The 400 metres has been a part of the Olympic Games since the first modern Olympics in 1896 for men, and since 1964 for women. The event has evolved over the years, with improvements in training techniques and track surfaces contributing to faster times.
Race Strategy[edit | edit source]
The 400 metres is often referred to as a "long sprint". Athletes must balance speed with endurance, as the race is too long to be run at full sprint speed, yet too short to be paced like a middle-distance event. Successful 400 metres runners typically have a strong start, maintain a high speed through the back straight, and have enough energy left to finish strongly in the final 100 metres.
Training[edit | edit source]
Training for the 400 metres involves a combination of speed work, endurance training, and strength conditioning. Athletes often perform interval training, where they run at high speeds for short distances with rest periods in between, to build both speed and stamina. Strength training is also crucial to develop the power needed for a strong start and finish.
Records[edit | edit source]
The current men's world record is 43.03 seconds, set by Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The women's world record is 47.60 seconds, set by Marita Koch of East Germany in 1985.
Notable Athletes[edit | edit source]
Some of the most famous 400 metres runners include Michael Johnson, who held the world record for over 17 years, and Allyson Felix, one of the most decorated female sprinters in history.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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