The Americans would take a second medal for the third consecutive Games as well, this time with Michael Bates earning bronze.

He had been beaten in June by Frankie Fredericks of Namibia, however, and teammate Michael Marsh had been only 0.07 seconds behind Johnson at the U.S. trials.

[2] Bahrain, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, Grenada, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger, San Marino, and Togo each made their debut in the event.

The United States made its 20th appearance, most of any nation, having missed only the boycotted 1980 Games.

Michael Marsh set a new Olympic and American record with 19.73 seconds in his semifinal.