Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The men's 400 metres race was the second-shortest of the flat-track events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme. The competition's preliminary round was the last held on the first day, 6 April. The competitors were split into two groups. The top two runners in each heat advanced to the final, which was held on the second day, 7 April. 7 athletes from 4 nations competed. 5 of those athletes were also in the 100 metres.