[1] Hayes set world records in both the 110-yard and 220-yard butterfly in the lead-up to the 1960 Games.

Hayes was aiming for success in the 200-metre butterfly, but came up against the United States' Michael Troy.

Hayes claimed the silver, with fellow Australian Kevin Berry in sixth place.

Hayes then combined with David Theile, Terry Gathercole and Geoff Shipton to claim a silver medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay, the first time the event was held at the Olympics, again behind the American team.

Later that year at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia, Berry defeated Hayes into silver the 100-metre butterfly by almost three seconds.