format used every Games since 1908 (except the four-round competition in 1952): quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final. Ten sets of hurdles were set on the course. The hurdles were 3 feet (91.5 centimetres) tall and were placed 35 metres apart beginning 45 metres from the starting line, resulting in a 40 metres home stretch after the last hurdle. The 400 metres track was standard. A significant change, however, was the introduction of the "fastest loser" system. Previously, advancement depended solely on the runners' place in their heat. The 1960 competition added advancement places to the fastest runners across the heats in the quarterfinals who did not advance based on place. There were 6 quarterfinal heats with between 5 and 6 athletes each. The top 2 men in each quarterfinal advanced to the semifinals, along with the next 2 fastest overall. The 14 semifinalists were divided into 2 semifinals of 7 athletes each, with the top 3 in each semifinal advancing to the 6-man final. Records Prior to the competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows. Four runners went under 50 seconds (hand-timed) in the final, the first time any had done so in the Olympics. Glenn Davis's time of 49.3 seconds was the new record. Schedule The competition used a three-day schedule, with each round on a separate day, for the first time. All times are Central European Time (UTC+1) Results Quarterfinals The fastest two hurdlers in each of the six heats and the next two fastest advanced to the semifinal round. Quarterfinal 1 Quarterfinal 2 Quarterfinal 3 Quarterfinal 4 Quarterfinal 5 Quarterfinal 6 Semifinals The fastest three hurdlers in each of the two heats advanced to the final round. Semifinal 1 Semifinal 2 Final Results summary References M 400 metres hurdles at the Olympics Men's events at the 1960 Summer Olympics