[3] The event was won by Bill Miller of the United States, the nation's ninth consecutive victory in the men's pole vault.

George Jefferson won bronze, extending the American streak of two or more medals in each pole vault to nine as well.

The American team, this time led by Bill Graber after he broke the world record in the trials, was again favored.

The United States made its ninth appearance, the only nation to have competed at every Olympic men's pole vault to that point.

All three medalists (George Jefferson, Shuhei Nishida, and Bill Miller) matched the Olympic record at 4.20 metres.