Miguel White gave the Philippines a bronze in its 400 metres hurdles debut.

It had been introduced along with the men's 200 metres hurdles in 1900, with the 200 being dropped after 1904 and the 400 being held through 1908 before being left off the 1912 programme.

However, when the Olympics returned in 1920 after World War I, the men's 400 metres hurdles was back and would continue to be contested at every Games thereafter.

Hardin had not lost a 400 metres hurdles race since being beaten by Tisdall in that Los Angeles 1932 final.

The United States made its eighth appearance, the only nation to have competed at every edition of the event to that point.