It was held on 6 September in a man-made lake in Forest Park.

Francis Gailey of Australia took silver, while Emil Rausch of Germany earned bronze.

It was the first medal in the 200 metre/220 yard freestyle for each of the United States and Germany; Australia had received gold in 1900 (by Frederick Lane).

The standing world and Olympic records (both for 200 metres) prior to this competition were as follows.

Ruberl's Olympic record was set with assistance from the current of the Seine, as the swimming events in 1900 were swum downstream in that river.