Olympic Velocity: The 1984 Men's 400m
A Deep Dive into the Track and Field Classic at the Los Angeles Games
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Event Introduction
Global Stage
The men's 400 metres event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles, marked the twentieth appearance of this prestigious track and field discipline. It stands as one of the twelve athletics events consistently featured since the inception of the modern Olympic Games.
Competitive Landscape
This particular Olympiad saw 80 competitors from 56 nations vie for supremacy. Notably, the event's format, including the introduction of a "fastest loser" system in the first round, was designed to accommodate a broad range of athletic talent, ensuring a comprehensive test of speed and endurance.
American Dominance Returns
The victory by Alonzo Babers of the United States signified a return to prominence for the host nation in this event, reclaiming the gold medal for the first time since 1972. This triumph was the United States' thirteenth gold medal in the men's 400 meters, underscoring their historical strength in the discipline.
Competition Structure
Round Progression
The competition adhered to a rigorous four-round structure, a format refined over decades to ensure fair and comprehensive evaluation of athletes. Each stage was strategically placed on separate days to allow for optimal recovery and performance.
Event Timeline
The event spanned four distinct days, commencing with the initial heats and culminating in the final race. This scheduling allowed for strategic pacing and focused preparation for each stage of the competition.
Performance Benchmarks
World & Olympic Records
Prior to the 1984 Games, the standing World and Olympic records for the men's 400 metres were both held by Lee Evans of the USA at 43.86 seconds, set in Mexico City in 1968. These records remained unchallenged during the Los Angeles competition.
National Records
The 1984 Olympics saw several national records established in the men's 400 metres, reflecting the global reach and competitive intensity of the event.
| Nation | Athlete | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
 Barbados |
Elvis Forde | Semifinal 2 | 45.32 |
 Somalia |
Ibrahim Okash | Heat 1 | 47.91 |
Competition Schedule
Event Progression
The scheduling of the men's 400 metres event was meticulously planned across four distinct days, allowing athletes to progress through the rounds with adequate recovery time.
Race Results
Final Standings
The final race was a closely contested affair, culminating in a victory for Alonzo Babers, who set a personal best time.
| Rank | Lane | Athlete | Nation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Alonzo Babers |  United States |
44.27 | PB | |
| 7 | Gabriel Tiacoh |  Ivory Coast |
44.54 | ||
| 1 | Antonio McKay | United States |
44.71 | ||
| 4 | 5 | Darren Clark |  Australia |
44.75 | |
| 5 | 6 | Sunder Nix | United States |
44.75 | |
| 6 | 2 | Sunday Uti |  Nigeria |
44.93 | |
| 7 | 3 | Innocent Egbunike | Nigeria |
45.35 | |
| — | 8 | Bertland Cameron |  Jamaica |
DNS |
Semifinal Qualifiers
The semifinal rounds determined the finalists, with notable performances and one significant withdrawal due to injury.
| Rank | Lane | Athlete | Nation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Innocent Egbunike | Nigeria | 45.16 | Q |
| 2 | 7 | Alonzo Babers | United States | 45.17 | Q |
| 3 | 1 | Darren Clark | Australia | 45.26 | Q |
| 4 | 6 | Sunder Nix | United States | 45.41 | Q |
| 1 | 4 | Gabriel Tiacoh | Ivory Coast | 44.64 | Q |
| 2 | 8 | Sunday Uti | Nigeria | 44.83 | Q |
| 3 | 3 | Antonio McKay | United States | 44.92 | Q |
| 4 | 2 | Bertland Cameron | Jamaica | 45.10 | Q |
Round 1 & Quarterfinal Highlights
The initial rounds saw a broad participation, with athletes from numerous nations competing. Key performances advanced athletes to the subsequent stages.
Cultural Footprint
Fictional Depiction
In the British television comedy series Little Britain, the character Denver Mills is humorously credited with winning the silver medal in the men's 400 metres at the 1984 Olympic Games. This serves as a lighthearted cultural reference to the event's prominence.
References
Source Citations
The information presented here is derived from authoritative sources, meticulously cataloged for transparency and further research.
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Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on data extracted from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia, and may not reflect the most current information or nuances of the subject matter.
This is not professional sports analysis or commentary. The information provided should not be considered a substitute for expert analysis of athletic performance, historical sports data, or official Olympic records. Always consult official sources and qualified sports historians for definitive information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.