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The 4x400 meter relay event for men appeared in
the Olympics for the first time in the 1912 Stockholm Summer Games.
Thereafter, the games have been the integral part of all Olympic
schedules. The competition is also known as long relay event. In the
competition, four sprinters run one lap of 400 meter length each.
Rules and Regulations
- The passing of baton is allowed only in the take-over zone.
- Number of substitutes allowed is two.
- One cannot use any external means which enhances one's grip
on the baton.
- All phases of the track must be properly marked. Every phase
in the event is of 100 meters.
- All runners in the race carry a baton which is a smooth
hollow tube made of wood. The size of the baton is determined by
the International Association of Athletics Federations or the
IAAF.
- Two consecutive false starts attract disqualification.
- An athlete, in any case, is allowed to obstruct the path of a
fellow competitor. If he does so, he is disqualified.
- The runners cannot leave their respective lanes after handing
over the baton and after receiving the baton. However, after
covering a certain distance in the lane, they can break it.
Dominating Countries
Athletes from the USA have always been dominating in long relay
sprint events in the Olympics.
Top Performers
Some top performers in the event have been Julius Sang, Darold
Williamson, Jeremy Wariner, Derrick Brew, Otis Harris, Calvin
Harrison, Alvin Harrison, Anthuan Maybank, Derek Mills, LaMont
Smith, Jerome Young, Ron Freeman, Herb McKenley, Quincy Watts,
Andrew Valmon, Butch Reynolds, Kevin Robinzine, Danny Everett,
Antonio McKay, Alonzo Babers, Ray Armstead, Herman Frazier, Robert
Ouko, Steve Lewis, Larry James, Vincent Matthews, Henry Carr, Glenn
Ashby Davis, Earl Young, Tom Courtney, Milton Campbell, Deon Minor,
Dameon Johnson, Andre Morris, Michael Johnson, Tyree Washington,
Antonio Pettigrew, and Lee Evans. |
