Olympic Women’s 400M Preview Updated for December 2024

Updated: 10th December 2024

The women's 400 metres is sure to be an extremely entertaining event at the Olympic Games this year with some very talented athletes on show.

Britain's Christine Ohuruogu is the current Olympic Champion after her stunning run in Beijing four years ago.

She knows that this summer she will have it all to do but can use the home crowd to her advantage.

The 28-year-old is in a good bit of form at the moment as well after winning the Diamond League in London and the World Indoor Championships 4x400m relay earlier in the year.

Ohuruogu certainly has the experience and knowhow in this event and is now looking to bounce back after the World Championships disappointment last year where she was disqualified.

However, it looks as though Sanya Richards-Ross is the women to beat and is being tipped by many to take the gold.

The American has won Olympic gold's in both the 2004 and 2008 Games. However, they have come in the 4×400 relay so some may doubt whether she can do it on her own.

Richards-Ross cannot be taken lightly though, she is in superb form this year after winning the World Indoor Championships.

At 27-years-old, she will know this is her best chance to pick up an individual gold medal.

Another much talked about contender is Antonia Krivoshapka who some people may not be familiar with. The Russian athlete is a big medal hope in this event and is competing in her first ever Olympic Games.

Krivoshapka is another athlete who has had more success is the relay rather than in the individual event. That said though, she may go under the radar somewhat which could suit her.

Making up the list of front runners is Amantle Montsho who at 29-years-old is one of the older athletes in this event. She is one of Botswana's highest medal hopes at London 2012 and has bags of experience.

Montsho has had a fantastic year on the track, winning the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, running a national record. She then went on to take the African Championships gold medal earlier this year.

With so much competition in this event, the race for gold is sure to be incredibly close.

In the end though, Sanya Richards-Ross has to be the big favourite to come out on top. Finish ahead of her and it's likely you will be on top of the podium.

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