Vilhjálmur Einarsson won Iceland's first Olympic medal in any event with the silver in this competition.

Vitold Kreyer put the Soviet Union on the men's triple jump podium for the second Games in a row with his bronze.

In the second round, the surprise of the Olympics Vilhjálmur Einarsson jumped a wind aided 16.26m to take the lead.

In the third round, Vitold Kreyer moved into bronze medal position with a 16.02m, while Sharpe injured himself on his attempt and was unable to continue the battle.

[2] Nigeria, North Borneo, Pakistan, Singapore, and Uganda each made their first appearance in the event.