[1] The maximum number of athletes per nation had been set at 3 since the 1930 Olympic Congress.

[2] It was the second of nine consecutive American victories, and the eighth overall gold medal for the United States in the 110 metres hurdles.

Don Finlay of Great Britain became the second man to win two medals in the event.

Two finalists from 1932 returned: bronze medalist Don Finlay of Great Britain and Willi Welscher of Germany, who had been disqualified in the final in Los Angeles.

The United States made its tenth appearance, the only nation to have competed in the 110 metres hurdles in each Games to that point.