There were 78 participating athletes from 57 nations, with eleven qualifying heats (78), five quarterfinal races (40), two semifinals (16) and a final (8).

Michael Johnson, favored to win in Barcelona before food poisoning resulted in a semifinal exit, also returned.

But, just as in 1992, Fredericks (the 1993 World Champion) had snapped a Johnson winning streak shortly before the Games and could not be disregarded as a challenger.

[2] Aruba, Comoros, Gabon, Guam, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates each made their debut in the event.

From the gun, Johnson took the lead, quickly making up the stagger on Ivan Garcia to his outside halfway through the turn.

Coming on to the straight, Johnson led by a metre from Frankie Fredericks and Ato Boldon, with Jeff Williams fourth.

Obadele Thompson closed with a strong straight to edge past Williams at the line another three metres behind Boldon.