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The 400 meter hurdle for women debuted in the
Olympics at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games. After the Los Angeles
Games, it has been the part of all the Olympics. The event is pretty
technical and demands the attributes of endurance, stamina, agility
and speed of the athletes' part for good performance. With the
distance of 400 meter and so many hurdles, only the highly skilled
athletes can perform with success in the competition.
Rules and Regulations
In 400 meter hurdle race for women event in the Olympics, rules and
regulations of the International Association of Athletics
Federations or IAAF are imposed.
- IAAF approved devices should be used for measuring the time
taken by the athletes to reach the finishing the line.
- Length, breadth and weight of each hurdle are in accordance
with the specifications of the IAAF.
- All hurdles used in Olympics have to be made of metal.
- Top bar of the hurdle has to be made of wood.
- White and black color is painted on top bar of each hurdle.
- The hurdles must have the capability to be adjusted in
different heights for various events.
- If an athlete unintentionally knocks down the hurdles during
the race, it is not considered an offence. It is an offence only
when the act is intentional.
- An athlete is not allowed to obstruct the way of her
competitor in any circumstances. If she does so, she is
instantly disqualified.
- If an athlete steps out of the track, she is out of the
competition.
- If a sprinter fails to reach the finishing line, she receives
no credit.
Top Performers
Top performers in 400 meter hurdle for women are Nawal El
Moutawakel, Ionela Tirlea-Manolache, Kim Batten, Sandra
Farmer-Patrick, Fani Halkia, Irina Privalova, Deon Hemmings, Sally
Gunnell, Debbie Flintoff-King, Tatyana Ledovskaya, Judi Brown,
Tetiana Tereschuk-Antipova, Nezha Bidouane, Tonja Buford-Bailey and
Janeene Vickers. |
