Competing in Sydney on 14 December 1935, Metcalfe set a new world record in the triple jump, leaping 15.78 metres.

The winner Naoto Tajima of Japan broke the Australian's world record during the competition.

It was later reported that Metcalfe, who was self-coached, assisted the Japanese athletes during the competition and that German officials had complained about this.

Metcalfe's bronze was the only medal won by the entire Australian team at this Olympic Games.

[11] At his final international competition – the 1938 British Empire Games in his home-town of Sydney – Metcalfe defended his triple jump gold medal and also took bronze in the javelin.