Olympic Games Track & Field History: Antwerp, 1920

Track and field was one of 25 sports contested at the VIIth Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920. The track and field program consisted of 27 events: 100 Meters, 200 Meters, 400 Meters, 800 Meters, 1,500 Meters, 5,000 Meters, 10,000 Meters, Marathon, 110 Meters Hurdles, 400 Meters Hurdles, 4 X 100 Meters Relay, 4 X 400 Meters Relay, 3,000 Meters Team Race, 3,000 Meters Walk,10 Kilometers Walk, Cross-Country – Individual, Cross-Country – Team, High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw, Pentathlon, and Decathlon.

Five-hundred nine (509) athletes representing 25 nations participated in track and field. Eighty-three (83) athletes representing 12 nations won medals. The United States led the medal count with 29 (9 gold, 12 silver, 8 bronze), followed by Finland with 16 (9 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze), Sweden with 14 (1 gold, 3 silver, 10 bronze), Great Britain with 12 (4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze), Italy with 4 (2 gold, 2 bronze), France with 4 (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), South Africa with 3 (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), Canada with 1 gold, Norway with 1 gold, Australia with 1 silver, Denmark with 1 silver, and Estonia with 1 silver.

Seventeen (17) athletes won more than one medal in track and field. Paavo Nurmi (Finland) led the individual medal count with 4 (3 gold, 1 silver), followed by Eric Backman (Sweden) with 4 (1 silver, 3 bronze), Albert Hill (Great Britain/England) with 3 (2 gold, 1 silver), Charles Paddock (United States) with 3 (2 gold, 1 silver), Bevil Rudd (South Africa) with 3 (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), Ugo Frigerio (Italy) with 2 gold, Elmer Niklander (Finland) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Guy Butler (Great Britain/England) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Joseph Guillemot (France) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Morris Kirksey (United States) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Percy Hodge (Great Britain/England) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Heikki Liimatainen (Finland) with 2 (1 gold, 1 bronze), Lawrence Shields (United States) with 2 (1 gold, 1 bronze), William Petersson (Sweden) with 2 (1 gold, 1 bronze), Carl Johan Lind (Sweden) with 2 (1silver, 1 bronze), James Wilson (Great Britain/Scotland) with 2 (1 silver, 1 bronze), Harry Edward (Great Britain/England) with 2 bronze.

One hundred eighty eight (188) athletes representing 17 nations scored points in track and field. The United States led scoring with 357 points, followed by Finland (169), Sweden (169), Great Britain (147), France (59), Italy (44), South Africa (40), Denmark (23), Norway (19), Estonia (16), Belgium (16), Canada (15), New Zealand (9), Australia (8), Czechoslovakia (5), Luxembourg (3), and the Netherlands (2).

(Points for Place: 1st=10 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=5 points; 5th=4 points; 6th=3 points; 7th=2 points; 8th=1 point)

100 Meters (August 16)
World Record: 10.6 Donald Lippincott (United States) July 6, 1912
Olympic Record: 10.6 Donald Lippincott (United States) July 6, 1912

1, Charles Paddock (United States) 10.8

2, Morris Kirksey (United States) 10.9

3, Harry Edward (Great Britain/England) 10.9

4, Jackson Scholz (United States) 10.9

5, Émile Ali-Khan (France) 11.0

6, Loren Murchison (United States) 11.1

200 Meters (August 19)
World Record: 21.2 (220 yards) Bernie Wefers (United States); Dan Kelly (United States); Ralph Craig (United States), Howard Drew (United States); William Applegarth (Great Britain/England)
Olympic Record: 21.6 Charles Archibald “Archie” Hahn (United States) August 31, 1904

1, Allen Woodring (United States) 22.0

2, Charles Paddock (United States) 22.0

3, Harry Edward (Great Britain/England) 21.1

4, Loren Murchison (United States) 22.1

5, George Davidson (New Zealand) 22.3

6, Jack Oosterlaak (South Africa) 22.4

400 Meters (July 13)
World Record: 47.4 (440 yards) James “Ted” Meredith (United States) May 27, 1916
Olympic Record: 48.2 Charles Reidpath (United States) July 13, 1912

1, Bevil Rudd (South Africa) 49.6

2, Guy Butler (Great Britain/England) 49.9

3, Nils Engdahl (Sweden) 49.9

4, Frank Shea (United States) 49.9

5, John Ainsworth-Davis (Great Britain/England) 50.0

6, Harry Davel (South Africa) 50.1

800 Meters (July 8)
World Record: 1:51.9 James “Ted” Meredith (United States) July 8, 1912
Olympic Record: 1:52.8 Melvin “Mel” Sheppard (United States) July 21, 1908

1, Albert Hill (Great Britain/England) 1:53.4

2, Earl Eby (United States) 1:53.6

3, Bevil Rudd (South Africa) 1:54.0

4, Edgar Mountain (Great Britain/England) 1:54.6

5, Donald Scott (United States) 1:56.0

6, Albert Sprott (United States) 1:56.4

7, Adriaan Paulen (Netherlands) 1:56.4

8, Jean Esparbes (France) 1:58.0

1,500 Meters (August 19)
World Record: 3:54.7 John Zander (Sweden) August 5, 1917
Olympic Record: 3:56.80 Arnold Jackson (Great Britain/England) July 10, 1912

1, Albert Hill (Great Britain/England) 4:01.8

2, Phillip Baker (Great Britain/England) 4:02.3

3, Lawrence Shields (United States) 4:03.0

4, Vaclav Vohralik (Czechoslovakia) 4:04.6

5, Sven Lundgren (Sweden) 4:06.3

6, Andre Audinet (France) 4:06.4

7, Arturo Porro (Italy) 4:06.6

8, Joie Ray (United States) 4:10.0

5,000 Meters (August 17)
World Record: 14:36.6 Hannes Kolehmainen (Finland) July 10, 1912
Olympic Record: 14:36.6 Hannes Kolehmainen (Finland) July 10, 1912

1, Joseph Guillemot (France) 14:55.6

2, Paavo Nurmi (Finland) 15:00.0

3, Eric Backman (Sweden) 15:13:0

4, Teodor Koskenniemi (Finland) 15:17.0

5, Charles Blewitt (Great Britain/England) 15:19.0

6, William Seagrove (Great Britain/England) 15:21.0

7, Carlo Speroni (Italy) N/T

8, Alfred Nichols (Great Britain/England) N/T

10,000 Meters (August 20)
World Record: 30:38.8 Jean Bouin (France) November 16, 1911
Olympic Record: 31:20.8 Hannes Kolehmainen (Finland) July 8, 1912

1, Paavo Nurmi (Finland) 31:45.8

2, Joseph Guillemot (France) 31:47.2

3, James Wilson (Great Britain/Scotland) 31:50.8

4, Augusto Maccario (Italy) 32:02.0

5, James Hatton (Great Britain/England) 32:14.0

6, Jean-Baptiste Manhès (France) 32:26.0

7, Heikki Liimatainen (Finland) 32:28:0

8, Frederick Faller (United States) 32:28:0

Marathon (August 22)
Distance: 42.750 Kilometers (26.56 miles)
World Best: 2:36:06 Alexis Ahlgren (Sweden) May 31, 1913
(42.195 Kilometers/26.2 miles)
Olympic Best: 2:55:18.4 John Hayes (United States) July 24, 1908
(42.195 Kilometers/26.2 miles)

1, Hannes Kolehmainen (Finland) 2:32:35.8 WB, OB
(42.195 Kilometers/26.2 miles: ca. 2:30:31.7)

2, Jüri Lossmann (Estonia) 2:32:48.6

3, Valerio Arri (Italy) 2:36:32.8

4, Auguste Broos (Belgium) 2:39:25.8

5, Juho Tuomikoski (Finland) 2:40:18.8

6, Sufos Rose (Denmark) 2:41:18.0

7, Joseph Organ (United States) 2:41:30.0

8, Rudolf Hansen (Denmark) 2:41:39.4

110 Meter-Hurdles (August 18)
World Record: 15.0 Forrest Smithson (United States) July 25, 1908
Olympic Record: 15.0 Forrest Smithson (United States) July 25, 1908; Harold Barron (United States) August 17, 1908; Earl Thomson (Canada) August 17, 1908

1, Earl Thomson (Canada) 14.8 WR, OR

2, Harold Barron (United States) 15.1

3, Frederick Murray (United States) 15.1

4, Harry Wilson (New Zealand) 15.2

5, Walker Smith (United States) 15.3

6, Carl-Axel Christiernsson (Sweden) 15.3

400 Meter-Hurdles (August 16)
World Record: 55.0 Charles Bacon (United States) July 22, 1908
Olympic Record: 55.0 Charles Bacon (United States) July 22, 1908

1, Frank Loomis (United States) 54.0 WR, OR

2, John Norton (United States) 54.6

3, August Desch (United States) 54.7

4, Georges André (France) 54.8

5, Carl-Axel Christiernsson (Sweden) 55.4

6, Charles Daggs (United States) 55.7

3,000 Meter-Steeplechase (August 20)
World Record: 9:49.8 Josef Ternstrom (Sweden)
Olympic Record: 10:17.4 Percy Hodge (Great Britain/England) August 18, 1920

1, Percy Hodge (Great Britain/England) 10:00.4 OR

2, Patrick Flynn (United States) 10:21.1

3, Ernesto Ambrosini (Italy) 10:32.0

4, Gustaf Mattsson (Sweden) 10:32.1

5, Michael Devaney (United States) 10:34.3

6, Albert Hulsebosch (United States) 10:37.7

7, Lars Hedvall (Sweden) 10:42.2

8, Raymond Watson (United States) 10:50.3

4X100 Meter-Relay (August 22)
World Record: 42.3 Germany July 8, 1912
Olympic Record: 42.3 Germany July 8, 1912

1, United States, 42.2 WR, OR
Charles Paddock, Jackson Scholz, Loren Murchison, Morris Kirksey

2, France, 42.5
René Lorain, René Tirard, René Mourlon, Émile Ali Khan

3, Sweden, 42.8
Agne Holmström, William Petersson, Sven Malm, Nils Sandström

4, Great Britain, 43.0
William Hill (England), Harold Abrahams (England), Denis Black (England), Victor d’Arcy (England)

5, Denmark, 43.3
Henri Thorsen, Fritiof Normann Andersen, August Sørensen, Marinus Sørensen

6, Luxembourg, 43.6
Jean Colbach, Paul Hammer, Jean Proess, Alex Servais

4X400 Meter-Relay (August 23)
World Record: 3:16.6 United States, July 15, 1912
Olympic Record: 3:16.6 United States, July 15, 1912

1, Great Britain, 3:22.2
Cecil Griffiths (England), Robert Lindsay (England), John Ainsworth-Davis (Wales), Guy Butler (England)

2, South Africa, 3:23.0
Henning “Henry” Dafel, Clarence Oldfield, Jack Oosterlaak, Bevil Rudd

3, France, 3:23.5
Georges Géo André, Gaston Féry, Maurice Delvart, André Devaux

4, United States, 3:23.6
George Schiller, George Bretnall, James “Ted” Meredith, Frank Shea

5, Sweden, 3:24.3
Sven Krokström, Sven Malm, Eric Sundblad, Nils Engdahl

6, Belgium, 3:24.9
Jules Migeot, Omer Corteyn, Omer Smet, François Morren

3,000 Meters Team Race (August 22)

1, United States 10 [1-3-6]
Hal Brown, Arlie Schardt, Ivan Dresser, Larry Shields, Mike Devaney

2, Great Britain 20 [5-7-8]
Charles Edward “Joe” Blewitt (England), Albert Hill (England), William Seagrove (England), James Hatton (England), Duncan McPhee (Scotland), Percy Hodge (England)

3, Sweden 24 [2-10-12
Eric Backman, Sven Emil Lundgren, Edvin Wide, Josef Holsner, John Zander

4, France 30 [4-11-15]
Armand Burtin, Gaston Heuet, Edmond Brossard, Lucien Duquesne, René Vignaud

5, Italy 36 [9-13-14]
Ernesto Ambrosini, Augusto Maccario, Carlo Speroni, Carlo Martinenghi

3,000 Meters Walk (August 21)
World Record: 12:53.8 Gunnar Rasmussen (Denmark)
Olympic Record: 13:46.8 Ugo Frigerio (Italy) August 20, 1920

1, Ugo Frigerio (Italy) 13:14.2 OR

2, George Parker (Australia) 13:19.6 (estimated)

3, Richard Remer (United States) 13:22.2 (estimated)

4, Cecil McMaster (South Africa) 13:23.6 (estimated)

5, Thomas Maroney (United States) 13:25.0 (estimated)

6, Charles Dowson (Great Britain/England) 13:28.0 (estimated)

7, William Hehir (Great Britain/Ireland) 13:29.8 (estimated)

8, William Roelker (United States) 13:30.4 (estimated)

10 Kilometer Walk (August 18)
World Record: 45:26.4 Gunnar Rasmussen (Denmark) 1918
Olympic Record: 47:14.5 George Goulding (Canada) July 18, 1912

1, Ugo Frigerio (Italy) 48 06.2

2, Joe Pearman (United States) 49:40.2 (estimated)

3, Charles Gunn (Great Britain/England) 49:43.9 (estimated)

4, Cecil McMaster (South Africa) 50:04.0 (estimated)

5, William Hehir (Great Britain/Ireland) 50:11.8 (estimated)

6, Thomas Maroney (United States) 50:24.4 (estimated)

7, Jean Seghers (Belgium) 50:32.4 (estimated)

8, Antoine Doyen (Belgium) 56:30.0 (estimated)

Cross-Country, Individual (August 23)
Distance: 8 Kilometers

1, Paavo Nurmi (Finland) 27:15.0

2, Eric Backman (Sweden) 27:17.6

3, Heikki Liimatainen (Finland) 27:37.0

4, James Wilson (Great Britain/England) 27:45.2

5, Frank Hegarty (Great Britain/England) 27:57.0

6, Teodor Koskenniemi (Finland) 27:57.2

7, Julien Van Campenhout (Belgium) 28:00.0

8, Gaston Heuet (France) 28:10.0

Cross-Country, Team (August 23)
Distance: 8 Kilometers

1, Finland, 10, [1-3-6]
Paavo Nurmi, Heikki Liimatainen, Teodor Koskenniemi, Ilmari Vesamaa, Eino Rastas, Hannes Miettinen

2, Great Britain, 21, [4-5-12]
James Wilson (Scotland), Frank Hegarty (England), Alfred Nichols (England), Christopher Vose (England), Walter Freeman (England), Larry Cummins (England)

3, Sweden, 23, [2-10-11]
Eric Backman, Gustaf Mattsson, Hilding Ekman, Verner Magnusson, Lars Hedwall, Knut Alm

4, United States, 36, [9-13-14]
Pat Flynn, Fred Faller, Max Böhland, Lewis Watson, Bob Crawford, Amisoli Patasoni

5, France, 40, [8-15-17]
Gaston Heuet, Gustave Lauvaux, Joseph Servella, Edmond Brossard, Edmond Bimont, Joseph Guillemot

6, Belgium, 48, [7-20-21]
Julien Van Campenhout, Henri Smets, Aimé Proot, François Vyncke, Pierre Trullemans, Antoine Rivez

7, Denmark, 53, [16-18-19]
Albert Andersen, Henrik Sørensen, Jón Jónsson, Julius Ebert, Artur Nielsen

High Jump (August 12)
World Record: 2.01 meters (6 feet 7 inches) Ed Beeson (United States) May 2, 1914
Olympic Record: 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches) Alma Richards (United States) July 8, 1912

1, Richmond Landon (United States) 1.936 meters (6 feet 4.22 inches) OR

2, Harold Muller (United States) 1.900 meters (6 feet 2.75 inches)

3, Bo Ekelund (Sweden) 1.900 meters (6 feet 2.75 inches)

4, Walter Whalen (United States) 1.850 meters (6 feet 0.75 inches)

5, John Murphy (United States) 1.850 meters (6 feet 0.75 inches)

6, Howard Baker (Great Britain/England) 1.850 meters (6 feet 0.75 inches)

7, Einar Thulin (Sweden) 1.800 meters (5 feet 10.75 inches)

7, Pierre Lewden (France) 1.800 meters (5 feet 10.75 inches)

Pole Vault (August 20)
World Record: 4.02 meters (13 feet 2.25 inches) Marcus Wright (United States) June 8, 1912
Olympic Record: 3.95 meters (12 feet 11.5 inches) Harry Babcock (United States) July 12, 1912

1, Frank Foss (United States) 4.09 meters (13 feet 5 inches) WR, OR

2, Henry Petersen (Denmark) 3.70 meters (12 feet 1.5 inches)

3, Edwin Myers (United States) 3.60 meters (11 feet 9.75 inches)

4, Edward Knourek (United States) 3.60 meters (11 feet 9.75 inches)

5, Ernfrid Rydberg (Sweden) 3.60 meters (11 feet 9.75 inches)

6, Laurits Jorgensen (Denmark) 3.60 meters (11 feet 9.75 inches)

7, Eldon Jenne (United States) 3.60 meters (11 feet 9.75 inches)

8, Georg Hogstrom (Sweden) 3.50 meters (11 feet 5.75 inches)

Long Jump (August 18)
World Record: 7.61 meters (24 feet 11.75 inches) Peter O’Connor (Great Britain/Ireland) August 5, 1901 Olympic Record: 7.60 meters (24 feet 11.25 inches) Albert Gutterson (United States) July 12, 1912

1, William Petersson (Sweden) 7.150 meters (23 feet 5.5 inches)

2, Carl Johnson (United States) 7.095 meters (23 feet 3.5 inches)

3, Erik Abrahamsson (Sweden) 7.080 meters (23 feet 2.75 inches)

4, Robert Templeton (United States) 6.950 meters (22 feet 9.75 inches)

5, Erling Aastad (Norway) 6.885 meters (22 feet 7.25 inches)

6, Rolf Franksson (Sweden) 6.730 meters (22 feet 1 inch)

7, Solomon Butler (United States) 6.600 meters (21 feet 8 inches)

8, Einar Raeder (Norway) 6.590 meters (21 feet 7.5 inches)

Triple Jump (August 21)
World Record: 15.52 meters (50 feet 11 inches) Daniel Ahearn (United States) May 30, 1911
Olympic Record: 14.92 meters (48 feet 11.25 inches) Timothy Ahearne (Great Britain/Ireland) July 25, 1908

1, Vilho Tuulos (Finland) 14.505 meters (47 feet 7 inches)

2, Folke Jansson (Sweden) 14.480 meters (47 feet 6 inches)

3, Erik Almlof (Sweden) 14.270 meters (46 feet 9.75 inches)

4, Ivar Sahlin (Sweden) 14.170 meters (46 feet 6 inches)

5, Sherman Landers (United States) 14.170 meters (46 feet 6 inches)

6, Daniel Ahearn (United States) 14.080 meters (46 feet 2.25 inches)

7, Ossian Nylund (Finland) 13.740 meters (45 feet 0.25 inch)

8, Howard Baker (Great Britain/England) 13.675 meters (44 feet 10 inches)

Shot Put (August 18)
World Record: 15.545 meters (51 feet 0 inches) Ralph Rose (United States) August 21, 1909
Olympic Record: 15.34 meters (50 feet 4 inches) Patrick McDonald (United States) July 10, 1912

1, Frans “Ville” Porhola (Finland) 14.810 meters (48 feet 7.25 inches)

2, Elmer Niklander (Finland) 14.155 meters (46 feet 5.25 inches)

3, Harry Liversage (United States) 14.150 meters (46 feet 5.25 inches)

4, Patrick McDonald (United States) 14.080 meters (46 feet 2.50 inches)

5, Einar Nilsson (Sweden) 13.870 meters (45 feet 6.25 inches)

6, Harald Tammer (Estonia) 13.605 meters (44 feet 7.50 inches)

7, George Bihlman (United States) 13.575 meters (44 feet 6.50 inches)

8, Howard Cann (United States) 13.520 meters (44 feet 4.25 inches)

56-pound Weight Throw (August 21)
World Record: 12.36 meters (40 feet 6.75 inches) Matthew McGrath (United States)
Olympic Record: 11.000 meters Patrick McDonald (United States) August 20, 1920

1, Patrick McDonald (United States) 11.265 meters (36 feet 11.5 inches) OR

2, Patrick “Paddy” Ryan (United States) 10.965 meters (35 feet 11.5 inches)

3, Carl Johan Lind (Sweden) 10.255 meters (33 feet 7.5 inches)

4, Archie McDiarmid (Canada) 10.120 meters (33 feet 2.5 inches)

5, Malcolm Svensson (Sweden) 9.455 meters (31 feet 0 inches)

6, Johan Pettersson (Finland) 9.375 meters (30 feet 9 inches)

7, Edward Roberts (United States) 9.36 meters (8.5 inches)

8, Elmer Niklander (Finland) 8.865 meters (29 feet 1 inch)

Discus Throw (August 22)
World Record: 47.58 meters (156 feet 1.00 inches) James Duncan (United States) May 27, 1912
Olympic Record: 45.21 meters Armas Taipale (Finland) July 12, 1912

1, Elmer Niklander (Finland) 44.685 meters (146 feet 7 inches)

2, Armas Taipale (Finland) 44.190 meters (145 feet 0.00 inches)

3, Augustus Pope (United States) 42.130 meters (138 feet 2.00 inches)

4, Edvin Zallhagen (Sweden) 41.070 meters (134 feet 9.00 inches)

5, Kenneth Barlett (United States) 40.875 meters (134 feet 1.00 inches)

6, Allan Eriksson (Sweden) 39.410 meters (129 feet 3.00 inches)

7, Valther Jensen (Denmark) 38.230 meters (125 feet 5.00 inches)

8, Frans Porhola (Finland) 38.190 meters (125 feet 3.00 inches)

Hammer Throw (August 18)
World Record: 57.77 meters (189 feet 6 inches) Patrick “Paddy” Ryan (United States) August 17, 1913
Olympic Record: 54.74 meters (179 feet 7 inches) Matthew McGrath (United States) July 14, 1912

1, Patrick “Paddy” Ryan (United States) 52.875 meters (173 feet 5 inches)

2, Carl Johan Lind (Sweden) 48.430 meters (158 feet 10 inches)

3, Basil Bennet (United States) 48.250 meters (158 feet 3 inches)

4, Malcolm Svensson (Sweden) 47.290 meters (155 feet 1 inch)

5, Matthew McGrath (United States) 46.670 meters (153 feet 1 inch)

6, Thomas Nicolson (Great Britain/Scotland) 45.700 meters (149 feet 11 inches)

7, Nils Linde (Sweden) 44.885 meters (147 feet 3 inches)

8, James McEachem (United States) 44.700 meters (146 feet 8 inches)

Javelin Throw (August 15)
World Record: 66.10 (216 feet 10 inches) Jonni Myrra (Finland) August 24, 1919
Olympic Record: 63.605 meters Urho Peltonen (Finland) August 15, 1920

1, Jonni Myrra (Finland) 65.780 meters (215 feet 10 inches) OR

2, Urho Peltonen (Finland) 63.605 meters (208 feet 8 inches)

3, Paavo Jaale-Johansson (Finland) 63.095 meters (207 feet 0 inches)

4, Julius Juho Saaristo (Finland) 62.395 meters (204 feet 9 inches)

5, Aleksander Klumberg-Kolmpere (Estonia) 62.390 meters (204 feet 8 inches)

6, Gunnar Lindstrom (Sweden) 60.520 meters (198 feet 7 inches)

7, Milton Angier (United States) 59.275 meters (194 feet 5 inches)

8, Erik Blomqvist (Sweden) 58.180 meters (190 feet 10 inches)

Pentathlon (August 16)
World Record 4,041.530, (3,660) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) July 7, 1912
Olympic Record 4,041.530, (3,660) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) July 7, 1912
Olympic Pentathlon Bests: Long Jump: 7.07 meters (23 feet 2.5 inches) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912; Javelin Throw: 49.56 meters (162 feet 7.25 inches) Hugo Wieslander (Sweden) 1912; 200 Meters: 22.9 James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912; Discus Throw: 35.75 meters (117 feet 3.5 meters) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912; 1,500 Meters: 4:44.8 James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912

1, Eero Lehtonen (Finland) 14
Long Jump: 6.635 meters (21 feet 9.25 inches) (2); Javelin Throw: 54.67 meters (179 feet 4.5 inches) (2); 200 Meters: 23.0 (1); Discus Throw: 34.64 meters (113 feet 7.75 inches) (7); 1,500 Meters: 4:40.2 (2)

2, Everett Bradley (United States) 24
Long Jump: 6.61 meters (21 feet 8.25 inches) (3); Javelin Throw: 49.16 meters (161 feet 3.5 inches) (8); 200 Meters: 23.0 (1); Discus Throw: 36.78 meters (120 feet 8 inches) (6); 1,500 Meters: 5:10.0 (6)

3, Hugo Lahtinen (Finland) 26
Long Jump: 6.59 meters (21 feet 7.5 inches) (4); Javelin Throw: 54.25 meters (178 feet 0 inches) (3); 200 Meters: 23.6 (5); Discus Throw: 31.12 meters (102 feet 1.25 inches) (13); 1,500 Meters: 4:36.0 (1) OB

4, Robert “Bob” LeGendre (United States) 26
Long Jump: 6.505 meters (21 feet 4.125 inches) (5); Javelin Throw: 44.60 meters (146 feet 4 inches) (11); 200 Meters: 23.0 (1); Discus Throw: 37.39 meters (122 feet 8 inches) (4); 1,500 meters: 4:46.0

5, Helge Løvland (Norway) 27
Long Jump: 6.32 meters 920 feet 9 inches) (7); Javelin Throw: 53.13 meters (174 feet 3.75 inches) (4); 200 Meters: 24.0 (10); Discus Throw: 39.51 meters (129 feet 7.5 inches) (2); 1,500 meters: 4:45.8 (4)

6, Brutus Hamilton (United States) 27
Long Jump: 6.86 meters (22 feet 6.25 inches) (1); Javelin Throw: 48.36 meters (158 feet 8 inches) (10); 200 Meters: 23.4 (4); Discus Throw: 37.13 meters (121 feet 10 inches) (5); 1,500 meters: 5:12.8 (7)

7, Bertil Ohlson (Sweden) 30
Long Jump: 6.27 meters (20 feet 7 inches) (9); Javelin Throw: 43.68 meters (143 feet 3.75 inches) (12); 200 Meters: 23.6 (5); Discus Throw: 39.80 meters (130 feet 7 inches) (1) OB; 1,500 meters: 4:42.8 (3)

8, Aleksander Klumberg-Kolmpere (Estonia)
Long Jump: 6.25 meters (20 feet 6.25 inches) (10); Javelin Throw: 60.76 meters (199 feet 4.25 inches) (1) OB; 200 Meters: 25.3 (15); Discus Throw: 38.62 meters (126 feet 8.5 inches); (3) 1,500 meters: N/T

Decathlon (August 20-21)
World Record: 7751 James “Jim” Thorpe (United States)
Olympic Record: 8413 (6564) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) July 13-15, 1912
Olympic Decathlon Bests: 100 Meters: 11.0 Eugene Leroy Mercer (United States) 1912, Skotte Jacobson (Sweden) 1912; Long Jump: 6.87 meters 6.87 meters (22 feet 6.50 inches) Charles Lomberg (Sweden) 1912; Shot Put: 12.89 meters (42 feet 3.5 inches) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912; High Jump: 1.87 meters (6 feet 1.75 inches) James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912; 400 Meters: 49.9 Eugene Leroy Mercer (United States); 110 Meter-Hurdles: 15.6 James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912; Discus Throw: 41.46 meters George Philbrook (United States) 1912; Pole Vault: 3.60 meters (11 feet 9.75 inches) Eugene Leroy Mercer (United States) 1912; Javelin Throw: 50.40 meters (165 feet 4.25 inches) Hugo Wieslander (Sweden) 1912; 1,500 Meters: 4:40.1 James “Jim” Thorpe (United States) 1912

1, Helge Løvland (Norway) 6803 (5803)
100 Meters: 12.0; Long Jump: 6.28 meters (20 feet 7.25 inches); Shot Put: 11.19 meters (36 feet 8.50 inches); High Jump: 1.65 meters (5 feet 5 inches); 400 Meters: 54.8; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 16.2; Discus Throw: 37.34 meters (122 feet 6 inches); Pole Vault: 3.20 meters (10 feet 6 inches); Javelin Throw: 48.01 meters (157 feet 6 inches); 1,500 Meters: 4:48.4

2, Brutus Hamilton (United States) 6771 (5739)
100 Meters: 11.4; Long Jump: 6.325 meters (20 feet 9.02 inches); Shot Put: 11.61 meters (38 feet 1 inch); High Jump: 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches); 400 Meters: 55.0; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 17.3; Discus Throw: 36.14 meters (118 feet 6.75 inches); Pole Vault: 3.30 meters (10 feet 10 inches); Javelin Throw: 48.08 meters (157 feet 8.75 inches); 1,500 Meters: 4:57.8

3, Bertil Ohlson (Sweden) (Sweden) 6580 (5639)
100 Meters: 12.0; Long Jump: 6.435 meters (21 feet 1.346 inches); Shot Put: 11.07 meters (36 feet 3.75 inches); High Jump: 1.65 meters (5 feet 5 inches); 400 Meters: 55.0; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 17.0; Discus Throw: 37.78 meters (123 feet 11.75 inches); Pole Vault: 3.30 meters (10 feet 10 inches); Javelin Throw: 39.89 meters (130 feet 10.50 inches); 1,500 Meters: 4:50.6

4, Gustaf “Gosta” Holmer (Sweden) 6532 (5551)
100 Meters: 11.8; Long Jump: 5.92 meters (19 feet 5 inches); Shot Put: 11.06 meters (36 feet 3.50 inches); High Jump: 1.70 meters (5 feet 7 inches); 400 Meters: 56.5; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 16.6; Discus Throw: 34.82 meters (114 feet 2.75 inches); Pole Vault: 3.20 meters (10 feet 6 inches); Javelin Throw: 47.62 meters (25 feet 0 inches) (156 feet 2.75 inches); 1,500 Meters: 5: 01.6

5, Evert Nilsson (Sweden) 6434 (5371)
100 Meters: 12.2; Long Jump: 5.67 meters (18 feet 7.25 inches); Shot Put: 11.39 meters (37 feet 4.50 inches); High Jump: 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches); 400 Meters: 55.7; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 20.0; Discus Throw: 34.77 meters (114 feet 0.75 inch); Pole Vault: 3.40 meters (11 feet 2 inches); Javelin Throw: 49.28 meters (161 feet 8 inches); 1,500 Meters: 4:45.6

6, Valdemar Wickholm (Finland) 6405 (5630)
100 Meters: 11.6; Long Jump: 6.12 meters (20 feet 1 inch); Shot Put: 11.44 meters (37 feet 6.50 inches); High Jump: 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches); 400 Meters: 52.8; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 16.8; Discus Throw: 32.30 meters (105 feet 11.75 inches); Pole Vault: 3.00 meters (9 feet 10 inches); Javelin Throw: 42.76 meters (140 feet 3.50 inches); 1,500 Meters: 4:45.6

7, Eugene Vidal (United States) 6359 (5489)
100 Meters: 12.0; Long Jump: 6.13 meters (20 feet 1.50 inches); Shot Put: 11.16 meters (36 feet 7.50 inches); High Jump: 1.65 meters (5 feet 5 inches); 400 Meters: 55.7; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 17.1; Discus Throw: 37.30 meters (122 feet 4.50 inches); Pole Vault: 3.30 meters (10 feet 10 inches); Javelin Throw: 35.32 meters (115 feet 10.50 inches); 1,500 Meters: 4:46.6

8, Axel-Erik Gyllenstolpe (Sweden) 6331 (5482)
100 Meters: 12.0; Long Jump: 6.35 meters (20 feet 10 inches); Shot Put: 10.69 meters (35 feet 1 inch); High Jump: 1.65 meters (5 feet 5 inches); 400 Meters: 55.8; 110 Meter-Hurdles: 16.8; Discus Throw: 33.65 meters (110 feet 4.75 inches); Pole Vault: 2.90 meters (9 feet 6.25 inches); Javelin Throw: 49.31 meters (161 feet 9.75 inches); 1,500 Meters: 5: 01.4

References:

“Athletics at the 1920 Summer Games,” SR/Olympic Sports;

International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF Statistics Handbook Daegu 2011, Part IV (IAAF Media & Public Relations Department, 2011);

International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF Statistics Handbook, Games of the XXX Olympiad, London 2012, Part I (IAAF Media & Public Relations Department, 2012);

International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF Statistics Handbook, Games of the XXX Olympiad, London 2012, Part II (IAAF Media & Public Relations Department, 2012);

Quercetani, R.L., A World History of Track and Field Athletics, 1864-1964 (London: Oxford University Press, 1964);

Wallechinsky, David, and Jaime Loucky, The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2012 Edition (London: Aurum Press, 2012).