The men's pole vault was one of four jumping events on the Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics programme.

The world record holder was Walter Rodenbaugh, but he was absent along with five-time AAA winner Richard Dickinson of Great Britain.

Of the vaulters present, William Hoyt was the favorite on the basis of a third-place finish at the 1895 ICAAAA.

* unofficial The following record was established during the competition: The exact time of the contest is not known; it was the fourth event of the afternoon session, following the 100 metres final, high jump, and 110 metres hurdles final.

The pole vault took long enough that it was interrupted by the finish of the marathon.