Egon Erickson and Alma Richards were also strong contenders; the three men had each won one of the three regional Olympic trials. Jim Thorpe was among the Americans; he won the pentathlon (which did not include a high jump) on the same day as the qualifying round and the decathlon (which did) a week later.
Egon Erickson and Alma Richards were also top contenders; the three men had each emerged victorious in one of the three regional Olympic trials. Jim Thorpe was among the American athletes; he won the pentathlon without a high jump on the same day as the qualifying round and the decathlon with a high jump a week later.