These are the official results of the men's 4 × 400 metres relay event at the

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...

in Barcelona, Spain. There were a total number of 24 nations competing, with three qualifying heats.

Medalists

* Athletes who participated in the heats only and received medals.

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1992 Summer Olympics. ''(*)'' Altitude over 1000 metres The following Olympic records were set during this competition. The United States set a new world record with 2:55.74 in the final.

Summary

Coming out of the start in the final, Lázaro Martínez for Cuba began to pull away from

Samson Kitur Samson Kitur (February 25, 1966 — April 25, 2003) was a Kenyan athlete, and an Olympic medalist in 1992. Biography Unlike most of his compatriots, who run in distances 800 metres and up, Kitur specialised in the 400 metres. He won t ...

for Kenya to the inside. Similarly American

Andrew Valmon Andrew Orlando Valmon (born January 1, 1965) is an American former 400 meters runner. Valmon was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Manchester Township, New Jersey, where he attended Manchester Township High School. He attended college a ...

gained on

Udeme Ekpeyong Udeme Sam Ekpeyong (born 28 March 1973) is a retired Nigerian sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres. Ekpeyong won a bronze medal in 4 x 400 metres relay at the 1995 World Championships, together with teammates Kunle Adejuyigbe, Ju ...

for Nigeria to his outside. Coming off the turn, Valmon had the lead and further separated from a slowing Martínez. Kitur and GBR's

Roger Black Roger Anthony Black MBE (born 31 March 1966) is a retired English athlete who competed internationally for Great Britain and England. During his athletics career, he won individual silver medals in the 400 metres sprint at both the Olympic Ga ...

closed to tighten the battle for second. Kenya passed second as Abednego Matilu led the group through the turn. But American Gold medalist

Quincy Watts Quincy D. Watts (born June 19, 1970) is an American former athlete, and two time gold medallist at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Career Born in Detroit, Michigan, Quincy Watts attended the University of Southern California (USC) where he excelled ...

was long gone with a 10-metre lead by the break. Down the backstretch, GBR's

David Grindley David Allan Grindley (born 29 October 1972 in Hindley) is a British former 400 metres track and field athlete who reached the final of the men's individual 400 metres (where he placed sixth) and won bronze in the men's 4 x 400 metres relay ...

was able to pass Matilu on the inside followed by Cuba's

Héctor Herrera Héctor Miguel Herrera López (; born 19 April 1990) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo and the Mexico national team. Herrera began his career with Pachuca in 2011 and sp ...

on the outside. At the 200 metre start line, halfway through the lap, Matilu just stopped like he had finished a 200-metre interval, taking Kenya out of the race. Watts padded another 5 metres to the American lead, passing to future world record holder Michael Johnson. Watts' 43.1 split was at the time the fastest relay split in history, and today still ranks tied for #4. Grindley held a metre lead into the handoff to

Kriss Akabusi Kezie Uchechukwu Duru Akabusi , MBE (born 28 November 1958), known as Kriss Akabusi, is a British former sprint and hurdling track and field athlete. His first international successes were with the British 4×400 metres relay team, winning a ...

. Johnson had suffered from food poisoning in Barcelona, which took him out of the 200 metres competition just a few days earlier. Here Johnson appeared healthy, extending the American lead to over 20 metres. Behind him, Cuban

Norberto Téllez Norberto Téllez Santana (born January 22, 1972 in Rodas, Cienfuegos) is a retired Cuban runner. Career Originally a 400 metres runner who also enjoyed success in 4 x 400 metres relay, winning the silver medal at the 1992 Olympics, Téllez ...

moved onto Akabusi's shoulder, ready to pounce coming off the final turn, but Akabusi held him off. Johnson passed off to 1988 gold medalist, world junior record holder Steve Lewis two and a half seconds before Akabusi passed to John Regis and Téllez to Roberto Hernández. The more experienced Hernández pounced on 200 metre runner Regis through the first turn. USA had a half a straightaway lead to take the gold unchallenged. Their new world record time flashed on the scoreboard around the stadium for almost 4 seconds before Hernández and Regis arrived.

Final

*Held on August 8, 1992

Heats

References

External links

Official Report

{{DEFAULTSORT:Athletics at the 1992 Summer Olympics - Men's 4 by 400 metres relay R Relay foot races at the Olympics Men's events at the 1992 Summer Olympics