| Host City: Berlin, Germany | Format: First round (First 3 & 6 fastest to semi-finals) (Aug 15) |
| Dates: 15–23 August | Format: Semi-finals (First 2 & 2 fastest to final) (Aug 16) |
| Nations participating: 202 | |
| Athletes participating: 2101 | |
| | | Main venue: Olympiastadion
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| Overview by IAAF | | |
| At the age of 24, Richards was appearing in her fourth World Championship, but she had never won an individual title. Starting quickly, the American led by a metre at 100m, but then appeared to hold back from pushing too much in the second 100. Working hard in the third quarter of the race, Richards held a lead of over 2m from Krivoshapka coming into the straight. The Russian faded as Shericka Williams, who had won silver in Beijing ahead of Richards, gained 4m on Krivoshapka. She could gain only a half metre on Richards, who lifted her arms in triumph while crossing the line. For the first time, a woman had run 400m in exactly 49 seconds. Williams-Mills just failed to catch Krivoshapka for the bronze. |
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