What is the world record in the 400-meter dash?

As of 2014, Michael Johnson holds the men's world record in the 400-meter dash at 43.18 seconds. Johnson set the record in Seville, Spain on Aug. 26, 1999. Marita Koch holds the women's 400-meter dash record at 47.60 seconds. She set it on Oct. 6, 1985 in Canberra, Australia.

Johnson also holds the Olympic record as of 2014, which is 43.49 seconds. He set this mark at the 1996 Atlanta games. Marie José Pérec holds the women's Olympic mark at 48.25 seconds. She also set the Olympic record at the 1996 games. Johnson's speed in his world-record performance was 9.2635 meters per second.