Athletics at the 1932 Summer Games: Previous Summer Games ▪ Next Summer Games
Host City: Los Angeles, United States
Venue(s): Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Date Started: August 3, 1932
Date Finished: August 3, 1932
Format: Final only.
| Gold: | Bill Miller |
| Silver: | Shuhei Nishida |
| Bronze: | George Jefferson |
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.
| Rank | Athlete | Age | Team | NOC | Medal | H | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Miller | 19 | United States | USA | Gold | 4.315 | OR |
| 2 | Shuhei Nishida | 22 | Japan | JPN | Silver | 4.300 | OR |
| 3 | George Jefferson | 22 | United States | USA | Bronze | 4.200 | =OR |
| 4 | Bill Graber | 21 | United States | USA | 4.150 | ||
| 5 | Shizuo Mochizuki | 22 | Japan | JPN | 4.000 | ||
| 6 | Lúcio de Castro | 21 | Brazil | BRA | 3.900 | ||
| 7 | Peter Clentzos | 23 | Greece | GRE | 3.750 | ||
| AC | Carlos Nelli | 29 | Brazil | BRA | NH |