Athletics at the 1960 Roma Summer Games:

The heavy favorite was American John Thomas. In 1960, he had bettered the world record five times, moving it up to 2.22 (7-3¾) at the US Olympic Trials. The next best jumper on height was Soviet Valery Brumel at 2.17 (7-1½). The two other Soviet jumpers, Robert' Shavlaq'adze and Viktor Bolshov, were considered slight threats, as was defending champion Charlie Dumas, but Thomas may have been the heaviest favorite in any athletics event at Roma. In the final, he led early, clearing 2.00, 2.06, and 2.09, with passes at 2.03 and 2.12. At 2.12 (6-11½), Shavlaq'adze and Bolshov had first jump clearances, and Brumel went over on his third attempt. Bolshov was leading as he had not yet missed. That was a PR for Shavlaq'adze who had previously jumped only 2.11 (6-11). At 2.14 (7-0¼) the three Soviets and Thomas got over, but only Shavlaq'adze did so on his first attempt moving into the lead. With the bar at 2.16 (7-1), Shavladq'adze cleared on his first attempt to win the gold medal, Brumel having one miss. Thomas and Bolshov failed to make the height and Thomas had to settle for the bronze medal.