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.
Other notable figures, Egon Erickson and Alma Richards, were also strong contenders for the position. The three men had each secured one of the three regional Olympic trials. Jim Thorpe was an American participant; he won the pentathlon on the same day as the qualifying round and the decathlon a week later.