The men's hammer throw event at the 1932 Olympic Games took place August 1.

O'Callaghan was the third man to win multiple hammer throw medals and the second (after three-time champion John Flanagan) to repeat as gold medalist.

Peter Zaremba extended the United States' medal streak to eight Games with his bronze.

Four of the six finalists from the 1928 Games returned: gold medalist Pat O'Callaghan of Ireland, silver medalist Ossian Skiöld of Sweden, fourth-place finisher Armando Poggioli of Italy, and sixth-place finisher Frank Conner of the United States.

Another prominent competitor was Ville Pörhölä of Finland, the 1920 shot put gold medalist.