[2] The event was won by Nelson Évora of Portugal, the nation's first medal and victory in the men's triple jump.

The returning finalists from the 2004 Games were silver medalist Marian Oprea of Romania, bronze medalist Danil Burkenya of Russia, fifth-place finisher Jadel Gregório of Brazil, ninth-place finisher Kenta Bell of the United States, and Phillips Idowu of Great Britain, who had not made a legal mark in the final but whose qualifying round score (if it could have been carried over) would have placed him fifth.

The United States competed for the 25th time, having missed only the boycotted 1980 Games.

NOCs were also permitted to enter one athlete providing he had met the B standard in the same qualifying period.

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