How Crazy are the 400m Heats? #Beijing2015

18 athletes sub 45.00 seconds in the heats of this mornings men’s 400m.

That’s 3 times as many as we had in 2007.

The full video of this race can be found on the SpeedEndurance Facebook Fan Page.

Here is a summary, provided by Ian Graham:

In 1983 (1st world champs) 45.05 won the final

In 1987, 1991, 1995, and 1997 two people broke 45 seconds in the quarter finals, when there used to be 4 rounds of competition.

In 1993 four people broke 45 seconds in the quarter finals, when there used to be 4 rounds of competition.

In 1999 three people broke 45 seconds in the quarter finals, when there used to be 4 rounds of competition.

In 2001 (when the change to three rounds first took place) only one man broke 45 seconds in round one.

Interestingly enough… the 2003 heats where also held on August 23rd, and there was no one sub 45.00 seconds, with the fastest heat time was 45.13

In 2005 three people went sub 45.00 seconds in the heats

In 2007 six people went sub 45.00 seconds in the heats

In 2009 the fastest heat time was 45.00

In 2011 four people went sub 45.00 seconds in the heats

In 2013 only one person went sub 45.00 seconds in the heats