The men's sprint event was part of the track cycling programme at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

[2] The event was won by Maurice Peeters of the Netherlands, the nation's first victory in the men's sprint.

Two British cyclists, Thomas Johnson and Harry Ryan, were in the final as well, taking silver and bronze.

One day before the Olympic tournament, Peeters had become amateur world champion in track cycling.

For the first time, Germany did not compete in the men's sprint, having been excluded from the 1920 Games after World War I.

Albert White, Harry Ryan (cyclist), and Maurice Peeters also tied the old record, but after Johnson had set a new one.