[1] The event was won by Harry Hillman, with Frank Waller taking silver and George Poage bronze.

The 400 metres version would be held in 1900, 1904, and 1908 before being left off for one Games in 1912; when the Olympics returned after World War I, the men's 400 metres hurdles was back and would continue to be contested at every Games thereafter.

[2] The United States was the only nation competing, making its second appearance.

The competition consisted of a single round, with only four hurdlers competing.

Harry Hillman's time of 53.0 seconds was ineligible for world record consideration because he knocked down a hurdle.