The runners competed in nine heats on July 31. The two best runners in each case qualified for the semi-finals on the same day. The two best runners from each of the three preliminary rounds also made it to the final, which started on August 1st.
Note: The qualified athletes are highlighted in light blue.
As in the sprints , there were no clear favorites over the 110 meter hurdles . In the interim, the South African George Weightman-Smith had set a new world record with 14.6 seconds . However, this one had bad luck with the track distribution. Normally the inner lane, softened by rain and numerous races on the medium and long distances, was released during the races with lane distribution. For this competition, however, the helpers accidentally set up hurdles on the inner lane. Weightman-Smith was given the drawing of all places. So he started the race at a considerable disadvantage, hit a hurdle and ultimately had no chance. With 15.0 s he reached fifth place.
The US runner John Collier had the fastest start, but was soon overtaken by Sidney Atkinson and Stephen Anderson. Atkinson, who had already won the silver medal in Paris four years earlier , could not be ousted from the top and became Olympic champion. Shortly behind, the two Americans Stephen Anderson and John Collier took second and third place.
literature
Ekkehard zur Megede , The History of Olympic Athletics, Volume 1: 1896-1936, Verlag Bartels & Wernitz KG, Berlin, 2nd edition 1970, pp. 198f