 Hurtault qualified for the games because his fastest time of 45.59 seconds between 1 May 2011 and 8 July 2012, set at the 2011 Ninove Memorial Geert Rasschaert, was the exact "B" qualifying time standard required for his event, the men's 400 metres.Before the Olympics, Joel Hamilton felt the runner would progress beyond the first round and Hurtault's personal trainer was confident he was in good fitness.He was drawn in the seventh heat on 4 August, finishing fifth out of seven athletes, with a time of 46.05 seconds.