Pole Vault, Men

At the US Olympic trials Bill Graber had broken the world record with 4.37 (14-4). He was favored but his teammates, Bill Miller – second at the trials, and George Jefferson, were also highly considered. Graber cleared 4.15 (13-7¼), passed 4.20 (13-9¼), and could not get over 4.25 (13-11¼) and had to settled for fourth. Miller, Jefferson, and Japan’s Shuhei Nishida all cleared 4.20, Nishida missing once. At 4.25 and 4.30 (14-1¼), Miller had first-attempt clearances, but Nishida would not go away – making both heights on his third tries. Finally, at 4.315 (14-1¾), Miller secured the gold medal with a third-attempt clearance while Nishida could not get over the bar. Miller failed three times at the world record height of 4.40 (14-5¼). Nishida was a Los Angeles crowd favorite for his sportsmanship in congratulating Miller.