The reigning (2003) world champion was Takehiro Kashima of Japan, with Igor Cassina of Italy the runner-up and Nemov third.

The United States made its 19th appearance, most of any nation; the Americans had missed only the inaugural 1896 event and the boycotted 1980 Games.

Japan had four gymnasts in the top 12 (including the seven-way tie), so the two-per-nation rule excluded Takehiro Kashima and Hisashi Mizutori.

After performing a routine with six release skills in the high bar event final (including four in a row – three variations of Tkatchev releases and a Gienger), taking a big step on landing which was a two tenths deduction, the judges posted a score of 9.725, placing Nemov in third position with several athletes still to compete.

Influenced by the crowd's fierce reaction, the judges reevaluated the routine and increased Nemov's score to 9.762, but this did not improve his placement and he finished without a medal.