In 1896, he saw an advertisement in the window of a London travel agent, and later explained "Greek classics were my proper academic field, so I could hardly resist a go at the Olympics, could I?"

On arrival there, he was dismayed to find that hammer throwing, the discipline he was most proficient in, was not to be competed in at the games.

The pair received a bye in the first round, advancing them to the semi-finals and guaranteeing them a top three place before they had played a game.

They lost their semifinal match to Dionysios Kasdaglis of Egypt and Demetrios Petrokokkinos of Greece, finishing third.

[6] Robertson is also remembered for his performance in the ceremony which followed the games, when he recited an ode to athletic prowess which he had composed in Ancient Greek;[5] this feat was rewarded by the King of Greece who bestowed an olive and laurel wreath.