Halldórsson ran in the 100 metres, finishing fourth in his first round heat and not advancing to the semifinals.

Iceland's Olympic debut also included a wrestler.

Pétursson advanced to the fifth round of the light heavyweight competition on the strength of a 3–2 record (making Iceland one of a very few countries to have a winning record in wrestling).

He did so despite facing four wrestlers from the dominant Finland team.

Pétursson remains the only wrestler to represent Iceland at the Olympics.