Ray Ewry, who was the three-time defending champion in the event, did not compete in 1912. The silver medalist from 1908, Konstantinos Tsiklitiras, took bronze.
The defending champion, Ray Ewry, who had successfully defended his title three times in a row, decided not to compete in 1912. As a consequence, the silver medalist from 1908, Konstantinos Tsiklitiras, secured the bronze medal.