Venue: White City Stadium. 26 competitors from 11 nations.
World Record: 15.0s - Thaddeus Shideler - St. Louis (USA), June 11, 1904
Olympic Record: 15.4s - Alvin Kraenzlein - Paris (FRA), July 14, 1900
Smithson, Rand, Garrels and Alfred Healey (GBR) all ran 15.8 in their
heats, the fastest of the 14 first round races. Shaw ran 15.6 in the first
semi-final, and was followed by Smithson, who equalled the Olympic
record. The third race saw Rand win the closest semi-final in 15.8 from
Healey (15.9). The Briton was three tenths faster than Garrels who won
the last semi-final in an eased-up 16.2.
Smithson got a fine start in the final, and increased his lead on the
grass course in the centre of the stadium throughout the race, winning
by almost seven yards. Photos showing Smithson, a deeply religious
man, carrying a bible while running over a hurdle, were taken after the
race.
United States
Great Britain
Belgium
Australasia
South Africa
Greece
Canada
Sweden
Hungary
Norway
