Athletics at the 1912 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 400 metres relay
The men's 4 × 400 metres relay was a track and field athletics event held as part of the Athletics at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the debut of the event, which along with the 4 × 100 metre relay marked the first relays of equal legs in the athletics programme. The competition was held on Sunday, July 14, 1912, and on Monday, July 15, 1912. Twenty-eight runners from seven nations competed. NOCs could enter 1 team of 4 athletes, with up to 2 reserves.
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records prior to the 1912 Summer Olympics.World Record | 3:18.2 | Harry Schaaf Harry Gissing James Rosenberger Mel Sheppard | New York | September 4, 1911 |
Olympic Record | – | none | – | – |
The British squad, running in the first semifinal, set the best time of the semifinal round with 3:19.0 minutes. It was bettered by the Americans in the final, as they took the gold medal and set a new world record in 3:16.6 minutes.
Results
Semifinals
All semifinals were held on Sunday, July 14, 1912.Semifinal 1
Place | Athletes | Time | Qual. |
1 | 3:19.0 OR | QF | |
2 | 3:22.2 |
Semifinal 2
Place | Athletes | Time | Qual. |
1 | 3:23.3 | QF | |
2 | 3:28.5 |
Semifinal 3
Place | Athletes | Time | Qual. |
1 | 3:22.5 | QF | |
2 | 3:25.0 | ||
3. | 3:29.4 |
Final
The final was held on Monday, July 15, 1912.Place | Athletes | Time |
1 | 3:16.6 WR | |
2 | 3:20.7 | |
3 | 3:23.2 |