Athletics at the 1979 Summer Universiade – Women’s 400 metres – Knowipedia

**DEFINITION:**
The women’s 400 metres event at the 1979 Summer Universiade was a track sprint competition held as part of the athletics program during the international multi-sport event for university athletes. The event featured preliminary heats, semifinals, and a final, showcasing some of the top emerging female sprinters from around the world.

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# Athletics at the 1979 Summer Universiade – Women’s 400 Metres

The women’s 400 metres at the 1979 Summer Universiade was contested at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico. The event took place over three days, from September 8 to September 10, 1979. It brought together university-level athletes from various countries, competing in a sprint event that tests both speed and endurance over one lap of the standard outdoor track.

## Background

The Summer Universiade, also known as the World University Games, is an international multi-sport event organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The 1979 edition was the 10th Summer Universiade and was hosted by Mexico City, a city notable for its high altitude of approximately 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level. This altitude is known to affect athletic performances, particularly in endurance and sprint events.

The women’s 400 metres is a sprint event that requires athletes to combine speed, strength, and strategic pacing. By 1979, the event had become a staple in international athletics competitions, including the Universiade, which served as a platform for young athletes to gain international experience and recognition.

## Venue

The Estadio Olimpico Universitario, located within the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) campus, was the main stadium for the athletics events at the 1979 Summer Universiade. Originally built for the 1968 Summer Olympics, the stadium had a capacity of approximately 72,000 spectators and featured a synthetic track surface suitable for high-level competition.

## Competition Format

The women’s 400 metres competition was structured in three rounds:

– **Heats:** The initial round where all registered athletes competed. The fastest athletes from each heat, along with a number of the fastest losers across heats, advanced to the semifinals.
– **Semifinals:** The qualifiers from the heats competed in two semifinal races. The top finishers from each semifinal qualified for the final.
– **Final:** The medal-deciding race, where the finalists competed for gold, silver, and bronze medals.

The progression criteria were based on finishing positions and times, ensuring that the fastest athletes advanced through each stage.

## Participants

The event featured a diverse field of university athletes representing countries from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Many competitors were national champions or emerging talents in their respective countries. The Universiade often served as a stepping stone for athletes who would later compete in the Olympic Games and World Championships.

## Schedule

– **September 8, 1979:** Heats
– **September 9, 1979:** Semifinals
– **September 10, 1979:** Final

The schedule allowed athletes a day between each round to recover and prepare for the next stage.

## Results

### Heats

The heats were conducted on September 8, with multiple races to accommodate all entrants. The qualification rule stipulated that the first three finishers in each heat, along with the next fastest athletes across all heats, would advance to the semifinals.

The heats saw competitive performances, with several athletes posting times close to or under 53 seconds, a strong benchmark for the era. The high altitude of Mexico City was expected to aid sprinters by reducing air resistance, potentially leading to faster times.

### Semifinals

The semifinals took place on September 9. Two semifinal heats were held, each featuring the qualifiers from the heats. The top four finishers in each semifinal qualified for the final.

The semifinals were marked by tactical racing, with athletes balancing the need to secure qualification with conserving energy for the final. Several athletes improved their times from the heats, indicating rising competition levels.

### Final

The final was held on September 10, 1979. The race featured eight athletes who had successfully navigated the earlier rounds. The competition was intense, with the lead changing hands during the final 100 metres.

The gold medal was won by an athlete who combined a strong start with a powerful finish, clocking a time that was competitive on the international stage. The silver and bronze medals were awarded to athletes who demonstrated resilience and speed, finishing closely behind the winner.

## Medalists

*Note: Specific athlete names and times are not provided in this summary.*

## Performance Analysis

The winning time in the women’s 400 metres at the 1979 Summer Universiade was reflective of the competitive standards of the late 1970s. While not approaching the world record at the time, the performances demonstrated the high caliber of university-level athletes.

The altitude of Mexico City likely contributed to faster sprint times due to thinner air and reduced aerodynamic drag. However, athletes also had to contend with the challenges of reduced oxygen availability, which can affect recovery and endurance, particularly in the latter stages of the 400 metres.

The event highlighted emerging talents who would go on to represent their countries in major international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.

## Historical Context

The 1979 Summer Universiade occurred during a period of increasing global participation in women’s athletics. The 400 metres had been an Olympic event for women since 1964, and by the late 1970s, it was firmly established in international competitions.

The Universiade provided a unique platform for university athletes to compete at a high level, often serving as a proving ground for future stars. The performances in Mexico City contributed to the growing recognition of women’s sprinting events and the development of female athletes worldwide.

## Legacy

The women’s 400 metres at the 1979 Summer Universiade remains a significant event in the history of university athletics. It showcased the depth of talent among young female sprinters and underscored the importance of international multi-sport events in athlete development.

The competition also demonstrated the impact of environmental factors, such as altitude, on athletic performance, influencing training and competition strategies in subsequent years.

## Summary

The women’s 400 metres at the 1979 Summer Universiade was a well-contested event held over three days at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City. Featuring heats, semifinals, and a final, the competition brought together top university athletes from around the world. The event highlighted emerging talents and contributed to the advancement of women’s athletics during the late 20th century.

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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The women’s 400 metres at the 1979 Summer Universiade was a competitive sprint event held in Mexico City, featuring university athletes from around the world competing over three days. The event included heats, semifinals, and a final, showcasing emerging talents in women’s athletics.