The French world record holder, Fernand Gonder, was not present.
Most of the top Americans were; like many events in 1904, it was largely a United States championship.
The United States made its third appearance, the only nation to have competed at every Olympic men's pole vault to that point.
* unofficial Charles Dvorak set a new Olympic record of 3.50 metres.
Allen and McLanahan were unable to replicate their 3.35 metres success, while Samse and Wilkins both cleared that height as well as the 3.43 metres they had been unable to achieve in the main final.