For the third straight Games, the podium in the men's high jump was monopolized by Americans and Soviets.

At 2.18 metres, high school 'phenomena', Reynaldo Brown and Valery Skvortsov topped out leaving the three medalists Valentin Gavrilov, Ed Caruthers and Richard Fosbury.

Fosbury took the lead by remaining clean at 2.22 metres, Caruthers needing a second attempt.

[1] The Bahamas, Guatemala, Madagascar, and Sierra Leone each made their debut in the event; West Germany competed separately for the first time.

The United States appeared for the 16th time, having competed at each edition of the Olympic men's high jump to that point.

For the first time, the qualifying mark was set high enough that fewer than 12 jumpers could achieve it; the top 12 (including ties) therefore advanced to the final.

Dick Fosbury and Ed Caruthers matched the Olympic record at 2.18 metres; Valentin Gavrilov skipped that height.