World Record: 3.62m Raymond Clapp, United States Chicago, United States June 16, 1898
Olympic Record: 3.30m William Hoyt, United States Athens, Greece April 10, 1896 NS
Irving Baxter equalized the Olympic record with 3.30 metres.
Baxter, despite being a high jumper who had little experience in pole vaulting and having just finished
the high jump competition, was the top vaulter. Along with the other medallists, he cleared 3.10 metres
first, then 3.20 metres. Andersen could not clear 3.25 while both the Americans did. That was the highest
vault that Colket could accomplish, however, and Baxter's 3.30 was enough to win.
The event was held on a Sunday afternoon, and the result was contested
by the Americans. The organisers had stated four days earlier that reli-
gious Americans would have a chance of jumping on the Monday in an
attempt to better the Sunday marks, but changed this ruling on the
Saturday apparently without notifying the Americans. Colket and
Baxter, who had just won the high jump, took part and duly took the
top two places. Javelin star Eric Lemming shared fourth place. The
next day, Bascom Johnson (USA) won a special event with 3.38, but
the US again protested when this was given no recognition. Dan
Horton then won a third event with 3.45 from fellow American Charles
Dvorak (3.35), but to no avail as officials decided to keep the Baxter
competition as the only legitimate event.
United States
Norway
France
Hungary
Sweden
