[1] In the final, American Bob Hayes tied the world record of 10.0 seconds and won the gold medal.

[2] Enrique Figuerola of Cuba and Harry Jerome of Canada tied the previous Olympic record time (10.2 seconds).

Neither of the top two runners from 1960 returned, but Rome bronze medalist Brit Peter Radford and fourth-place finisher Cuban Enrique Figuerola did.

Other notable entrants were American Bob Hayes (the favorite who was unbeaten in the event, including the 100 yards variant, since 1962) and Canadian Harry Jerome (a 1960 semifinalist who held a share of the world record).

[3] A muscle strain prevented Venezuelan Horacio Esteves (another 1960 semifinalist with a share of the world record) from competing.

[citation needed] The event retained the same basic four round format from 1920–1960: heats, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final.

The weather was described as "fine," with lower humidity than the first two rounds and a temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius.