The event was won by Al Oerter of the United States, the nation's fifth consecutive and 12th overall victory in the men's discus throw.

Returning finalists from the 1964 Games were three-time gold medalist Al Oerter of the United States, silver medalist Ludvik Danek of Czechoslovakia, fourth-place finisher Jay Silvester of the United States, seventh-place finisher Edmund Piatkowski of Poland, and eleventh-place finisher Hartmut Losch of the United Team of Germany (now representing East Germany).

Silvester had taken the world record from Danek earlier in the year, and (as in 1964) defeated Oerter in the U.S. Olympic trials.

[2] Cuba, El Salvador, Mali, and Nicaragua each made their debut in the men's discus throw; East and West Germany competed separately for the first time.

The United States made its 16th appearance, having competed in every edition of the Olympic men's discus throw to date.