400 metres
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'''400 m''' is a common [[track running]] event. It is the longest common [[Sprint (race)|sprint]] distance. 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 (athlete)|Michael Johnson]], with a time of 43.18 seconds. The world indoor record holder is [[Kerron Clement]], in 44.57 seconds. The current women's world record is held by [[Marita Koch]], with a time of 47.60 seconds. The reigning Olympic champions are [[Jeremy Wariner]] and [[Tonique Williams-Darling]]. The Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds is held by [[Oscar Pistorius]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7141302.stm BBC]</ref>
==Famous 400 m runners==
===Top all-time athletes - men===
(Updated [[January 7]] [[2008]].)
{| class="wikitable"
! Rank !! Time !! Athlete !! Nation !! Date !! Place
|-
! 1.
| 43.18 || [[Michael Johnson (athlete)|Michael Johnson]] || {{USA}} || [[August 26]] [[1999]] || [[Seville]]
|-
! 2.
| 43.29 || [[Butch Reynolds|Harry (Butch) Reynolds]] || {{USA}} || [[August 17]] [[1988]] || [[Zürich]]
|-
! 3.
| 43.45 || [[Jeremy Wariner]] || {{USA}} || [[August 31]] [[2007]] || [[Osaka]]
|-
! 4.
| 43.50 || [[Quincy Watts]] || {{USA}} || [[August 5]] [[1992]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
! 5.
| 43.81 || [[Danny Everett]] || {{USA}} || [[June 26]] [[1992]] || [[New Orleans]]
|-
! 6.
| 43.86 || [[Lee Evans (athlete)|Lee Evans]] || {{USA}} || [[October 18]] [[1968]] || [[Mexico City]]
|-
! 7.
| 43.87 || [[Steve Lewis (athlete)|Steve Lewis]] || {{USA}} || [[September 28]] [[1988]] || [[Seoul]]
|-
! 8.
| 43.96
| [[LaShawn Merritt]] || {{USA}} || [[August 31]] [[2007]] || [[Osaka]]
|-
! 9.
| 43.97 || [[Larry James]] || {{USA}} || [[October 18]] [[1968]] || [[Mexico City]]
|-
! 10.
| 44.05
| [[Angelo Taylor]] || {{USA}} || [[June 23]] [[2007]] || [[Indianapolis]]
|}
===Top all-time athletes - women===
(Updated [[September 17]] [[2006]].)
{| class="wikitable"
! Rank !! Time !! Athlete !! Nation !! Date !! Place
|-
! 1.
| 47.60 || [[Marita Koch]] || {{GDR}} || [[6 October]] [[1985]] || [[Canberra]]
|-
! 2.
| 47.99 || [[Jarmila Kratochvílová]] || {{TCH}} || [[10 August]] [[1983]] || [[Helsinki]]
|-
! 3.
| 48.25 || [[Marie-José Pérec]] || {{FRA}}|| [[29 July]] [[1996]] || [[Atlanta]]
|-
! 4.
| 48.27 || [[Olga Vladykina-Bryzgina]] || {{URS}} || [[6 October]] [[1985]] || [[Canberra]]
|-
! 5.
| 48.59 || [[Taťána Kocembová]] || {{TCH}} || [[10 August]] [[1983]] || [[Helsinki]]
|-
! 6.
| 48.63 || [[Cathy Freeman]] || {{AUS}} || [[29 July]] [[1996]] || [[Atlanta]]
|-
! 7.
| 48.70 || [[Sanya Richards]] || {{USA}} || [[16 September]] [[2006]] || [[Athens]]
|-
! 8.
| 48.83 || [[Valerie Brisco-Hooks]] || {{USA}} || [[6 August]] [[1984]] || [[Los Angeles]]
|-
! 9.
| 48.89 || [[Ana Guevara]] || {{MEX}} || [[27 August]] [[2003]] || [[Saint Denis|Paris Saint-Denis]]
|-
! 10.
| 49.05 || [[Chandra Cheeseborough]] || {{USA}} || [[6 August]] [[1984]] || [[Los Angeles]]
|}
===Other well-known athletes===
* [[Roger Black]]
* [[Alberto Juantorena]]
* [[Eric Liddell]]
* [[Archie Williams]]
* [[Irena Szewinska]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.iaaf.org/ International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)] – official site
*[http://www.athletix.org/statistics/stats.html World Record progression in athletics]
*[http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/ World Masters Athletics] - official site
*[http://www.mastersathletics.net Masters T&F World Rankings]
*[http://www.alltime-athletics.com Athletics all-time performances]
{{Track events}}
[[Category:Events in athletics]]
[[ca:400 metres llisos]]
[[cs:Běh na 400 m]]
[[da:400-meter-løb]]
[[de:400-Meter-Lauf]]
[[et:400 meetri jooks]]
[[es:400 metros (atletismo)]]
[[fr:400 mètres (athlétisme)]]
[[it:400 m piani]]
[[he:ריצת 400 מטר]]
[[nl:400 meter (atletiek)]]
[[ja:400メートル競走]]
[[no:400 meter]]
[[pl:Bieg na 400 m]]
[[pt:400 metros rasos]]
[[sk:Beh na 400 m]]
[[fi:400 metrin juoksu]]
[[sv:400 meter]]
[[tr:400 metre (atletizm)]]