Swimming at the 1936 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle


The women's 400 metre freestyle was a swimming event held as part of the swimming at the 1936 Summer Olympics programme. It was the fourth appearance of the event, which was established in 1924 after 1920 a 300 metre event was held. The competition was held from Thursday to Saturday, 13 to 15 August 1936.
Twenty swimmers from ten nations competed.

Medalists

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records prior to the 1936 Summer Olympics.
World Record5:16.0 Willy den OudenRotterdam 12 July 1934
Olympic Record5:28.5 Helene MadisonLos Angeles 13 August 1932

Ragnhild Hveger set a new Olympic record in the first heat with 5:28.0 minutes. In the final Rie Mastenbroek bettered the Olympic record with 5:26.4 minutes.

Results

Heats

Thursday 13 August 1936: The fastest three in each heat and the fastest fourth-placed from across the heats advanced to the semi-finals. Only two swimmers competed in heat two therefore only 15 swimmers advanced to the semi-finals.
Heat 1
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:28.0QQ OR
25:34.0QQ
35:35.5QQ
46:00.8
56:14.7

Heat 2
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:57.5QQ
26:14.8QQ

Heat 3
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:39.5QQ
25:42.5QQ
35:46.8QQ
45:51.0qq
55:51.9

Heat 4
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:57.1QQ
26:12.7QQ
36:16.6QQ

Heat 5
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:38.6QQ
25:47.5QQ
35:50.4QQ
46:14.3
56:23.0

Semifinals

Friday 14 August 1936: The fastest three in each semi-final and the fastest fourth-placed from across the heats advanced to the final. As both fourth placed swimmers set the same time both advanced to the final.
Semifinal 1
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:40.3QQ
25:42.2QQ
35:42.5QQ
45:45.9qq
55:46.0
65:49.1
76:11.2

Semifinal 2
PlaceSwimmerTimeQual.
15:33.7QQ
25:42.5QQ
35:43.5QQ
45:45.9qq
55:46.1
65:49.4
75:55.0
86:07.2

Final

Saturday 15 August 1936:
PlaceSwimmerTime
15:26.4 OR
25:27.5
35:29.0
45:32.2
55:35.2
65:43.1
75:45.0
85:46.0