Calvin Bricker of Canada became the second man to win a second medal in the long jump, adding a silver to his 1908 bronze.

The 1908 gold and bronze medalists, Frank Irons of the United States and Calvin Bricker of Canada, returned.

Irons was a "slight favorite" after winning the 1909 and 1910 AAU championships and the central U.S. Olympic trial.

[3] Austria, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Russia each made their first appearance in the event.

Albert Gutterson's first jump broke the Olympic record of 7.48 metres by 12 centimetres.