| 400 metres
Women Landmarks |
First under 54 sec:
53.9 Maria Itkina URS 1955
First under 53/52 sec: 51.9 Sin Kim Dan PRK 1962
First under 51/50 sec: 49.9 Irena Szewinska POL 1974
First under 49 sec: 48.94 Marita Koch GDR 1978
First under 48 sec: 47.99 Jarmila Kratochvílová TCH 1983Subsequent record progression:47.60 Marita Koch 1985
Most durable world record: 47.60 Marita Koch 1985 (14 years)
Most times under 49.00: Marita Koch 15 |
Superlatives |
Most Olympic titles:
2 Marie-José Pérec FRA 1992/1996
Most World titles:
2 Marie-José Pérec FRA 1991/19952
2 Cathy Freeman (AUS) 1997/1999
Youngest Olympic/World champion:Monika Zehrt GDR 1972 (19)
Oldest: Jarmila Kratochvílová 1983 (32) |
Three all time greats |
Irena Szewinska (POL): A seven-time Olympic medallist, including victories in the
1968 200m and 1976 400m, she revolutionised the event by reducing the world record from
51.0 to 49.9 in 1974. |
Marita Koch (GDR): Her world record of 47.60 remains unapproached, as does her
tally of fast times. Lost only two 400m races in eight years and was Olympic champion in
1980. |
Marie-José Pérec (FRA): A great championship competitor, winner of two world
titles and the 1992 and 1996 Olympic crowns. Like Michael Johnson she also won double gold
at the Atlanta Olympics in 200m and 400m. |
