Con Walsh of Canada took bronze and became the first athlete not from the United States to win a medal in the event, as the Americans had swept the podium in both 1900 and 1904.

Fellow American Matt McGrath was rising as a challenger, however, and had taken second place in the 1907 AAU championship.

McGrath was struggling with a knee injury but still hoped to supplant the 40-year-old Flanagan as the premier hammer thrower of the day.

[3] Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, and Switzerland each made their debut in the event.

* unofficial John Flanagan set a new Olympic record with 51.92 metres.