It was the fourth appearance of the event, which had been won all three previous times by John Flanagan.

In the absence of retired three-time champion American John Flanagan, the heavy favorite was another American: Matt McGrath, who had given Flanagan a strong challenge in 1908 and had replaced him as the top hammer thrower since the London Games.

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.

McGrath took the gold medal, besting Flanagan's Olympic record with all four of his legal marks.