Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres
| Men's 400 metres at the Games of the IV Olympiad
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| Venue | White City Stadium | ||||
| Dates | July 21 (quarterfinals) July 22 (semifinals) July 23 (final) |
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| Competitors | 37 from 10 nations | ||||
| Medalists | |||||
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Wyndham Halswelle |
 Great Britain
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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