[3] Ukrainian shot putter Yuriy Bilonoh was stripped of his gold medal on 5 December 2012 after drug re-testings of his samples were found positive.

According to a statement from the IOC, sent to the Spanish Olympic Committee, the gold medal went to original silver medalist Adam Nelson of the United States, the silver to Joachim Olsen of Denmark, and the bronze to Manuel Martínez of Spain.

[6][7] This gave the United States its 17th victory in the men's shot put, and Denmark and Spain their first medals in the event.

[3] Serbia and Montenegro and Slovenia both made their debut in the men's shot put.

The United States made its 24th appearance, most of any nation, having missed only the boycotted 1980 Games.

For the men's shot put, each National Olympic Committee was permitted to enter up to three athletes that had thrown 20.30 metres or further during the qualification period.