100 metres, Men

Early in 1932, the top sprinter was Ralph Metcalfe of the US. He won the sprint double at the NCAA Championship, and then won the US Olympic Trials, defeating Eddie Tolan, who had been the top sprinter in the US in 1929-31. The final was an intercontinental one, with three Americans, George Simpson joining Metcalfe and Tolan, Arthur Jonath of Germany, Danie Joubert of South Africa, and the first Asian to make an Olympic final, Takayoshi Yoshioka of Japan. Yoshioka was a very fast starter and he opened in the lead. But he was quickly caught by Tolan at 30 metres, who led until he was caught by Metcalfe at about 80 metres. At the tape there was little to choose between them, and even the electric timer gave them both the same time of 10.38, but Tolan was chosen as the gold medalist, with Metcalfe second, and Jonath getting the bronze.

Despite the electric timing, mistakes could still happen in this era. In the first semi-final, Tolan was declared the victor over Joubert, with both timed in 10.81, and Yoshioka third in 10.83. But film of the race, available on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjMcr_elhd4 as of September 2013), clearly shows that Yoshioka won, with Joubert second, and Tolan third. It did not matter in the final outcome, however, as all three qualified for the final.