[2] The event was won by Pertti Karppinen of Finland, the nation's first medal in the men's single sculls.

Karppinen would go on to win three consecutive golds in the event, matching the Soviet Union's Vyacheslav Ivanov who did the same from 1956 to 1964.

Kolbe was favored, though Drea was a significant challenger, as was 1975 Pan American champion Ricardo Ibarra of Argentina.

The United States made its 14th appearance, tying the absent Great Britain for most among nations.

The competition continued to use the six-boat heat standardised in 1960 as well as the "B" final for ranking 7th through 12th place introduced in 1964.