Glenn Cunningham's silver put the United States on the 1500 metres podium for the first time since 1920.

Luigi Beccali did not successfully defend his 1932 gold, but took bronze to become the first man to win two medals in the event.

All six were contenders in 1936, along with Sydney Wooderson of Great Britain and Archie San Romani and Gene Venzke of the United States (world record holder Bill Bonthron could not make the team against Cunningham, Venzke, and San Romani).

[1] Chile, the Republic of China, Colombia, Luxembourg, and Peru each made their first appearance in the event.

The United States made its 10th appearance, the only nation to have competed in the men's 1500 metres at each Games to that point.