The event was won by Zoltán Halmay of Hungary, the nation's second consecutive victory in the 100 yard/metre freestyle.

This was the second appearance of the men's 100 freestyle, with the distance in yards for the only time.

The swimming races were held in a man-made lake in the park, between a pier and some floating rafts.

Zoltán Halmay broke the Olympic in the first semifinal and then bettered his new record in the final.

The results of the non-advancing swimmers are unclear, but Raymond Thorne, Edwin Swatek and Bill Orthwein are named by de Wael as possible competitors.