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

American athlete Walt Davis won the gold medal and set a new Olympic record.

José da Conceição won Brazil's first medal in the men's high jump, with bronze.

[1] Ceylon, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Israel, Nigeria, the Soviet Union, and Venezuela each made their debut in the event.

The United States appeared for the 12th time, having competed at each edition of the Olympic men's high jump to that point.