Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres

The 400 - meter race of men at the 1896 Summer Olympics was held on 6 and 7 April 1896 in the Ancient Stadium in Athens. It was attended by a total of seven athletes from five nations. Five of them had also participated in the 100 -meter run.

The two best runners of their time were the American Thomas Burke and Briton Edgar Bredin. Bredin had in June 1895 leveled the six -year-old Weltkrekord his compatriot Henry Tindall, but was defeated in the same year by Burke at the prestigious competition comparison between the New York Athletic Club and the London Athletic Club. Early 1896 Bredin decided to continue his career as a professional athlete, so he was no longer eligible to start in Athens. So Burke traveled as a favorite.

In Ancient Stadium, the athletes had to run a little more than one lap. There were no tracks that separated the runners.

Records

The following list includes the world records before the Olympics. They are all unofficial records. They were placed over the distance of 440 yards.

Results

Heats

Two heats were used. The two top finishers of each forward travel qualified for the final.

When you first start attempt Doerry and Grisel caused a false start and had to start the second punishment about two meters behind Jamison and Hofmann set up. The Americans won the lead slightly with about 12 meters ahead of Hofmann. The order of running of Doerry and Grisel is not known.

Although tired from recently discharged flow over 100 meters, the favorite Burke sat through clearly. The aim of the advance of the British Gmelin was about 13 ½ feet. Gmelin suggested Reichel at about eleven meters ahead. Only the times of the two winners was taken that the third party is appreciated.

Final

Burke ran for more than four seconds faster than the previous day and also improved the established day before Olympic record of his compatriot Jamison by 2.6 seconds. At the finish he was 7 ½ feet in front of Jamison. The third place went to Gmelin with one foot ahead of Hofmann. Only the times of the top two was taken. The Third and Fourth are appreciated.