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

The American team, including Willie Davenport (whose injury in Tokyo had ended a streak of four consecutive podium sweeps), Ervin Hall, and Leon Coleman, was again favored.

The United States made its 16th appearance, the only nation to have competed in the 110 metres hurdles in each Games to that point.

The men's 110m hurdles competition consisted of heats (Round 1), semifinals and a final.

Eddy Ottoz matched the Olympic record in the third heat.