The event was held on 6 April, immediately after the first heats of the 100 metre race.

Since there was only one round of the triple jump, the winner was crowned as the first modern Olympic champion.

[1] The winning margin was 1.01 metres which as of 2023 remains the only time the men's triple jump was won by more than 60 cm at the Olympics.

"[2][3] There were no standing Olympic records (as this was the first Games) before the event.

* unofficial The following record was established during the competition: The exact time of the contest is not known; it was the second event of the Games.