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Not held in other editions
| Event type

Special Scratch Pole Vault #1, Men

Date16 July 1900
StatusOlympic (non-medal)
LocationCroix Catelan, Bois de Boulogne, Paris
Participants1 from 1 countries

The Olympic pole vault competition was scheduled to start on Sunday afternoon, 15 July, at 1630 (4:30 PM), but the Americans objected to competing on Sunday. They claimed that the French officials told them that if a field event ended on Sunday any competitors not wishing to compete would have a chance to post their marks the following day. This was apparently ruled at a meeting on Wednesday, 11 July. On Saturday night, however, the French ruled that the results of all Sunday events would be final, with no recourse to any athletes who did not compete due to Sabbatarian objections. Apparently the Americans were not told of this decision.

The top American vaulters were Charles Dvorak, Daniel Horton, and Bascom Johnson. They were not at the field on Sunday when the pole vault started. Fortunately for the American team, Irv Baxter, who had just won the high jump (which started at 1545), and Meredith Colket, were present and were able to compete in the vault. They took the first two places without much difficulty, but the American team was not happy.

Therefore on Monday morning, 16 July, the French officials held a special pole vault competition – this event – which they considered outside of the Olympic events, and which was won by Bascom Johnson, clearing 3.38 metres. The Americans continued to protest, however, and after the handicap pole vault was held on 19 July, won by Hungarian Jakab Kauser, the organizers conducted another special pole vault competition, won by Daniel Horton (3.45 m) with Charles Dvorak (3.35 m) second, but the original pole vault competition continues to be considered as the Olympic event.

PosCompetitor(s)NOCD()
1Bascom JohnsonUSA3.38