400 metres Hurdles, Men

The 1924 and 1928 gold medalists, Morgan Taylor and David, Lord Burghley, were back and expected to battle for the gold medal. Also highly considered was Irishman Bob Tisdall, a top all-rounder who also competed in the decathlon in Los Angeles, and Glenn Hardin, sort of the winner of the US Olympic Trials. In the final of the combined AAU/Trials meet, Hardin had run out of his lane and was disqualified from the AAU, but declared winner of the Olympic Trials and placed on the team. The final in Los Angeles matched these four, who would constitute four consecutive gold medalists in the event – Taylor in 1924, Burghley in 1928, Hardin would win in 1936, and Tisdall won in 1932. He took an early lead, but knocked over the last hurdle, allowing Hardin to close to within two metres. The downed hurdle cost Tisdall the world and Olympic record of 51.7, both reverting to Hardin in second place. In accordance with the rules at the time, Tisdall’s official time was rounded up to 51.8, to the nearest fifth.