The men's 400 metre world record has been one of the most enduring of all events, having been equalled or fallen just nine times in the last 40 years, and all but one man was American. Will this be the last world record of the century? Chances are Michael Johnson will now want to be the first man under the 43 seconds barrier.

Record Progression:

Otis Davis (US) 44.9 - Rome, September 1960; Carl Kaufmann (Ger) 44.9 - Rome, September 1960; Adolph Plummer (US) 44.9 - Tempe, May 1963; Mike Larrabee (US) 44.9 - Los Angeles, September 1964; Tommie Smith (US) 44.5 - San Jose, May 1967; "Larry" James (US) 44.1 - California, September 1968; Lee Evans (US) 43.86 - Mexico City, October 1968; "Butch" Reynolds (US) 43.29 - Zurich, August 1988; Michael Johnson (US) 43.18 - Seville, August 1999.

In addition to Johnson's record, there have been 51 national records set in the first five days of competition.