Men's 4 x 400 Meter Relay

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.