400 metres hurdles to 400 metres, or one lap of the stadium, and the number of hurdles was reduced to ten. The official height of the hurdles was set to 91.4 cm (3 feet) for men and 76.20 cm (2 ft, 6 inches) for women. The hurdles were now placed on the course with a run-up to the first hurdle of 45 metres, a distance between the hurdles of 35 metres each, and a home stretch from the last hurdle to the finish line of 40 metres. The first documented 400 m hurdles race for women took place in 1971. The International Association
Athletics at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 80 metres hurdles Athletics at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 80 metres hurdles The Women's 80 metres hurdles competition at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico was held at the University Olympic Stadium on October 17–18. The Women's 80m hurdles competition consisted of heats (Round 1), Semifinals and a Final. The three fastest competitors from each race in the heats qualified for the semifinals, along with the fastest overall competitor not already qualified. The top four athletes from each semifinals race advanced to the final. Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows: Qual. rule: