Venue White City Stadium | Competitors 37 from 10 nations | |
Dates July 21 (quarterfinals)
July 22 (semifinals)
July 23 (final) | ||
The men's 400 metres was an Olympic event for the fourth time at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The competition was held originally scheduled from July 21, 1908 to July 23, 1908. The rerun of the final was held on July 25, 1908. The races were held on a track of 536.45 metres= 1⁄3 mile in circumference.
Contents
37 runners from ten nations competed.
It was the most controversial event of the London Games. The final resulted in the disqualification of American runner John Carpenter, who had blocked British athlete Wyndham Halswelle in a manoeuvre that was legal under American rules but prohibited by the British rules under which the race was run.
As part of the disqualification of Carpenter, a second final race was ordered. Halswelle was to face the other two finalists again. These men, William Robbins and John Taylor, were both Americans and decided not to contest the repeat of the final to protest against the judges' decision. Halswelle was thus the only medallist in the 400 metres.
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in seconds) prior to the 1908 Summer Olympics.
(*) 440 yards (= 402.34 m)
(**) This track was 536.45 metres= 1⁄3 mile in circumference.
In the semi-finals Wyndham Halswelle set a new Olympic record with 48.4 seconds.
Heats
The heats were run on July 21, 1908. The winner of each advanced to the semifinals, with all other runners eliminated.
Heat 1
Montague led by twelve yards when he finished.
Heat 2
The second heat was cancelled as there were no starters.
Heat 3
Ryle had no competition in the third heat.
Heat 4
Taylor won handily, with a twelve-yard margin.
Heat 5
Nicol won with a twelve-yard lead.
Heat 6
Eight yards separated the two runners when Malfait crossed the line.
Heat 7
Robbins had no difficulty in this race, winning with a 12-yard lead.
Heat 8
Prout's lead was only two yards when he finished.
Heat 9
Ramey's victory was one of the closest of the first round, with only a yard and a half separating him from Astley.
Heat 10
Jacquemin pulled up lame, allowing Sebert to win by 20 yards.
Heat 11
Heat 12
Heat 13
Heat 14
Heat 15
Heat 16
Young won by 30 yards.
Semifinals
The semifinals were held on July 22, 1908. Winners advanced, all others were eliminated.
Semifinal 1
Semifinal 2
Halswelle broke the Olympic record in the semifinal.
Semifinal 3
Semifinal 4
Final
The final was initially held on July 23, 1908. After the disqualification of Carpenter, the second running of the final was scheduled for July 25.
First running
The first final ended with Carpenter finishing first, Halswelle following him, Robbins in third, and Taylor at the back. Roscoe Badger, one of the British umpires of the event, noticed Carpenter maneuvering so as to prevent Halswelle from passing him, which was legal at the time under the American rules under which Carpenter normally competed, but prohibited by the British rules that were in effect for the Olympics; Badger therefore signalled to the judges to declare the race void, leading to a thirty-minute argument between British and American officials. At the official inquiry later that day, the judges disqualified Carpenter and ordered the final to be rerun with Carpenter excluded.
Second running
Carpenter was not permitted to start in the rerun, and Robbins and Taylor refused to participate in protest of the decision by the judges. Halswelle won with a jog, for the one and only walkover win in Olympic track and field history.