Athletics at the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Games:

In 1927 Sabin Carr broke the world record by vaulting 4.27 to win the IC4As in Philadelphia. This was the first-ever clearance of 14-feet. At the West Coast Relays in 1928, defending gold medalist Lee Barnes bettered that with 4.30 and was favored in Amsterdam. The final was held in a pouring rain. Five vaulters were left after 3.95 (12-11½) – Carr, Barnes, two other Americans, Bill Droegemuller and Charles McGinnis, and Canadian Vic Pickard. Only Carr and Droegemuller succeeded at 4.10. When Carr cleared 4.20 (13-9¼) the gold medal was his. Third-fifth places were decided in a jump-off. The Americans swept the medals, as they had in 1924.