United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics

The United States competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. 288 competitors, 274 men and 14 women, took part in 113 events in 18 sports.[1]

United States at the
1920 Summer Olympics
IOC codeUSA
NOCAmerican Olympic Committee
in Antwerp
Competitors288 (274 men and 14 women) in 18 sports
Flag bearerPat McDonald
Medals
Ranked 1st
Gold
41
Silver
27
Bronze
27
Total
95
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

Medalists

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Medal Name Sport Event
  Gold Charles Paddock Athletics Men's 100 m
  Gold Allen Woodring Athletics Men's 200 m
  Gold Frank Loomis Athletics Men's 400 m hurdles
  Gold Charles Paddock
Jackson Scholz
Lorin Murchison
Morris Kirksey
Athletics Men's 4 × 100 m relay
  Gold Horace Brown
Arlie Schardt
Ivan Dresser
Athletics Men's 3000 m team race
  Gold Richmond Landon Athletics Men's high jump
  Gold Frank Foss Athletics Men's pole vault
  Gold Patrick Ryan Athletics Men's hammer throw
  Gold Pat McDonald Athletics Men's 56 lb weight throw
  Gold United States men's national rugby union team
  • Daniel Carroll
  • James Fitzpatrick
  • Charles Mehan
  • John Patrick
  • Dink Templeton
  • Charles Doe
  • Joseph Hunter
  • John Muldoon
  • Erwin Righter
  • Charles Lee Tilden, Jr.
  • George Fish
  • Morris Kirksey
  • John O'Neil
  • Rudolph Scholz
  • Heaton Wrenn
Rugby Men's rugby union
  Gold Frankie Genaro Boxing Men's flyweight
  Gold Samuel Mosberg Boxing Men's lightweight
  Gold Eddie Eagan Boxing Men's light heavyweight
  Gold Louis Kuehn Diving Men's 3 m springboard
  Gold Clarence Pinkston Diving Men's 10 m platform
  Gold Aileen Riggin Diving Women's 3 m springboard
  Gold John B. Kelly Sr. Rowing Men's single sculls
  Gold Paul Costello
John B. Kelly Sr.
Rowing Men's double sculls
  Gold Virgil Jacomini
Edwin Graves
William Jordan
Edward Moore
Alden Sanborn
Donald Johnston
Vince Gallagher
Clyde King
Sherm Clark
Rowing Men's eight
  Gold Karl Frederick
Louis Harant
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
Shooting Men's 30 m team military pistol
  Gold Karl Frederick Shooting Men's 50 m free pistol
  Gold Raymond Bracken
Karl Frederick
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
Shooting Men's 50 m team free pistol
  Gold Lawrence Nuesslein Shooting Men's 50 m small bore rifle
  Gold Dennis Fenton
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Arthur Rothrock
Oliver Schriver
Shooting Men's 50 m team small bore rifle
  Gold Morris Fisher Shooting Men's 300 m free rifle, 3 positions
  Gold Dennis Fenton
Morris Fisher
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
Shooting Men's team free rifle
  Gold Morris Fisher
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
Shooting Men's 300 m team military rifle, prone
  Gold Carl Osborn Shooting Men's 300 m military rifle, standing
  Gold Dennis Fenton
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
Shooting Men's 600 m team military rifle, prone
  Gold Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
Shooting Men's 300 + 600 m team military rifle, prone
  Gold Mark Arie Shooting Men's trap
  Gold Mark Arie
Horace Bonser
Jay Clark
Forest McNeir
Frank Troeh
Frank Wright
Shooting Men's team clay pigeons
  Gold Duke Kahanamoku Swimming Men's 100 m freestyle
  Gold Norman Ross Swimming Men's 400 m freestyle
  Gold Norman Ross Swimming Men's 1500 m freestyle
  Gold Warren Kealoha Swimming Men's 100 m backstroke
  Gold Duke Kahanamoku
Pua Kealoha
Perry McGillivray
Norman Ross
Swimming Men's 4 × 200 m freestyle relay
  Gold Ethelda Bleibtrey Swimming Women's 100 m freestyle
  Gold Ethelda Bleibtrey Swimming Women's 300 m freestyle
  Gold Ethelda Bleibtrey
Irene Guest
Frances Schroth
Margaret Woodbridge
Swimming Women's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay
  Gold Charles Ackerly Wrestling Men's featherweight
  Silver Morris Kirksey Athletics Men's 100 m
  Silver Charles Paddock Athletics Men's 200 m
  Silver Earl Eby Athletics Men's 800 m
  Silver Harold Barron Athletics Men's 110 m hurdles
  Silver John Norton Athletics Men's 400 m hurdles
  Silver Patrick Flynn Athletics Men's 3000 m steeplechase
  Silver Joseph Pearman Athletics Men's 10 km walk
  Silver Carl Johnson Athletics Men's long jump
  Silver Harold Muller Athletics Men's high jump
  Silver Patrick Ryan Athletics Men's 56 lb weight throw
  Silver Everett Bradley Athletics Men's pentathlon
  Silver Brutus Hamilton Athletics Men's decathlon
  Silver Clarence Pinkston Diving Men's 3 m springboard
  Silver Helen Wainwright Diving Women's 3 m springboard
  Silver Ken Myers
Carl Klose
Franz Federschmidt
Erich Federschmidt
Sherm Clark
Rowing Men's coxed four
  Silver Raymond Bracken Shooting Men's 30 m military pistol
  Silver Arthur Rothrock Shooting Men's 50 m small bore rifle
  Silver Thomas Brown
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
Shooting Men's 300 m team military rifle, standing
  Silver Frank Troeh Shooting Men's trap
  Silver Pua Kealoha Swimming Men's 100 m freestyle
  Silver Ludy Langer Swimming Men's 400 m freestyle
  Silver Ray Kegeris Swimming Men's 100 m backstroke
  Silver Irene Guest Swimming Women's 100 m freestyle
  Silver Margaret Woodbridge Swimming Women's 300 m freestyle
  Silver Sam Gerson Wrestling Men's featherweight
  Silver Nat Pendleton Wrestling Men's heavyweight
  Silver United States men's national ice hockey team
Raymond Bonney
Anthony Conroy
Herbert Drury
Edward Fitzgerald
George Geran
Frank Goheen
Joseph McCormick
Lawrence McCormick
Frank Synott
Leon Tuck
Cyril Weidenborner
Ice Hockey Men's competition
  Bronze Lawrence Shields Athletics Men's 1500 m
  Bronze Feg Murray Athletics Men's 110 m hurdles
  Bronze August Desch Athletics Men's 400 m hurdles
  Bronze Richard Remer Athletics Men's 3 km walk
  Bronze Edwin Myers Athletics Men's pole vault
  Bronze Harry Liversedge Athletics Men's shot put
  Bronze Gus Pope Athletics Men's discus throw
  Bronze Basil Bennett Athletics Men's hammer throw
  Bronze Frederick Colberg Boxing Men's welterweight
  Bronze Louis Balbach Diving Men's 3 m springboard
  Bronze Harry Prieste Diving Men's 10 m platform
  Bronze Thelma Payne Diving Women's 3 m springboard
  Bronze Alfred Lane Shooting Men's 50 m free pistol
  Bronze Dennis Fenton Shooting Men's 50 m small bore rifle
  Bronze Lawrence Nuesslein Shooting Men's 300 m military rifle, standing
  Bronze Lloyd Spooner Shooting Men's 600 m military rifle, prone
  Bronze Thomas Brown
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
Shooting Men's 100 m team running deer, single shots
  Bronze Frank Wright Shooting Men's trap
  Bronze Bill Harris Swimming Men's 100 m freestyle
  Bronze Frances Schroth Swimming Women's 100 m freestyle
  Bronze Frances Schroth Swimming Women's 300 m freestyle
  Bronze Charley Johnson Wrestling Men's middleweight
  Bronze Walter Maurer Wrestling Men's light heavyweight
  Bronze Fred Meyer Wrestling Men's heavyweight
  Bronze Francis Honeycutt
Arthur Lyon
Robert Sears
Henry Breckinridge
Harold Rayner
Fencing Men's team foil
  Bronze   United States (USA)
Arthur Harris
Terry Allen
John Montgomery
Nelson Margetts
Polo Men's competition
  Bronze Theresa Weld Figure Skating Women's singles

Background: voyage to Antwerp

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Beginning July 26, 1920, a majority of the U.S. Olympic contingent destined for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, endured a troubled transatlantic journey aboard Princess Matoika. The voyage and the events on board, later called the "Mutiny of the Matoika", were still being discussed in the popular press years later. The Matoika was a last-minute substitute for another ship and, according to the athletes, did not have adequate accommodations or training facilities on board.[2] The conditions on the Princess Matoika were terrible, as the hold reeked of formaldehyde from the dead bodies of the recently deceased American World War I soldiers, and there was no place to train. Furthermore, the athletes were dissatisfied with the quality of food and huge numbers of rats present on the ship.[3] Near the end of the voyage, the athletes published a list of grievances and demands and distributed copies of the document to the United States Secretary of War, the American Olympic Committee members, and the press. Among these were the demands for better accommodations in Antwerp, cabin passage home, and railroad fare from New York to their home cities.[4] The incident received wide coverage in American newspapers at the time.[5]

Aquatics

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Diving

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Fourteen divers, seven men and seven women, represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport; the United States was the only nation to have competed at each Olympic diving contest to that point. The Americans won their first gold medals in the sport since 1904, winning championships in three of the five diving events in 1920. The team swept both the men's and women's springboard events (though only Americans competed in the women's springboard), and added a gold and a bronze in the men's platform. Pinkston was the only diver from any nation in 1920 to win multiple medals.

Men

Ranks given are within the semifinal group.

Diver Event Semifinals Final
Points Score Rank Points Score Rank
Louis Balbach 3 m springboard 8 630.80 2 Q 15 649.50  
10 m platform 17 409.15 3 Q 28 424.00 6
Richard Beauchamp Plain high dive 23 135.0 6 did not advance
Louis Kuehn 3 m springboard 7 628.15 1 Q 10 675.40  
Frank Mullen Plain high dive 27 144.0 6 did not advance
Clarence Pinkston 3 m springboard 8 622.70 2 Q 11 655.30  
10 m platform 10 443.00 2 Q 7 503.30  
Harry Prieste 10 m platform 17 441.80 3 Q 16 468.65  
Plain high dive 18 149.5 4 did not advance
Clyde Swendsen 10 m platform 26 414.80 6 did not advance
Plain high dive 25 148.0 5 did not advance
Women

Ranks given are within the semifinal group.

Diver Event Semifinals Final
Points Score Rank Points Score Rank
Aileen Allen 3 m springboard N/A 20 489.9 4
Betty Grimes 10 m platform 13 156.0 2 Q 30 133.5 6
Alice Lord 10 m platform 35 118.5 7 did not advance
Helen Meany 10 m platform 23 145.0 5 did not advance
Thelma Payne 3 m springboard N/A 12 534.1  
Aileen Riggin 3 m springboard N/A 9 539.9  
10 m platform 15 155.5 2 Q 20 157.0 5
Helen Wainwright 3 m springboard N/A 9 534.8  

Swimming

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Twenty-two swimmers, sixteen men and six women, represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's sixth appearance in the sport; the United States was the only nation to have competed in every Olympic swimming edition to that point. The Americans took eight of the ten gold medals, along with five silvers and three bronzes. This gave the team more than half of the available medals—16 out of 30; more than three times the next-best country. Eleven different Americans finished with at least one medal. Furthermore, the United States set five new world records and tied another.

On the men's side, Kahanamoku set a new Olympic record in the quarterfinals of the 100 free, then tied the world record twice in the semis and the final as the Americans swept the medals in that event. Ross took a pair of gold medals in the other two freestyle events. Kegeris briefly took the Olympic record in the 100 metre backstroke semifinals before Warren Kealoha broke the world record in the second semifinal; Kealoha took gold and Kegeris silver in the final. The relay team also set a world record in winning the gold medal.

On the women's side, Schroth, like Kegeris, briefly held an Olympic record in the 100 free before Bleibtrey broke the world record in a later semifinal. Bleibtrey bettered her own new record, leading the American women to a sweep of the medals in that event. Bleibtrey took her second world record and second gold medal in the 300 free, as the Americans swept that event as well. Her third gold medal and third world record came as part of the 4x100 free relay team along with Schroth, Guest, and Woodbridge.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Men
Swimmer Event Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Eugene Bolden 1500 m free 23:41.2 2 Q 23:26.4 3 q 24:04.3 5
Bill Harris 100 m free 1:04.4 1 Q 1:04.2 2 Q 1:03.0  
400 m free 5:57.8 1 Q 5:36.0 3 did not advance
Jack Howell 200 m breast 3:09.8 1 Q 3:10.8 1 Q Unknown 4
400 m breast 6:57.0 1 Q 6:51.4 3 q 6:51.0 4
Duke Kahanamoku 100 m free 1:01.8 OR 1 Q 1:01.4 =WR 1 Q 1:01.4 =WR  
Fred Kahele 400 m free 5:37.4 2 Q 5:35.8 2 Q Unknown 4
1500 m free 23:41.6 2 Q 23:23.0 2 Q 23:59.1 4
Pua Kealoha 100 m free 1:02.0 1 Q 1:02.4 1 Q 1:02.6  
Warren Kealoha 100 m back N/A 1:14.8 WR 1 Q 1:15.2  
Ray Kegeris 100 m back N/A 1:17.8 OR 1 Q 1:16.8  
Harold Kruger 100 m back N/A 1:19.0 2 Q Unknown 5
Ludy Langer 400 m free 5:41.1 1 Q 5:29.2 2 Q 5:29.0  
1500 m free 24:28.8 1 Q Unknown 4 did not advance
Mike McDermott 200 m breast 3:16.4 2 Q Unknown 4 did not advance
400 m breast 7:12.8 3 q 7:13.2 3 did not advance
Perry McGillivray 100 m back N/A 1:20.4 3 q 1:19.4 4
Charles Quinby 400 m breast Unknown 4 did not advance
Norman Ross 100 m free 1:04.2 1 Q 1:04.8 1 Q Disqualified
400 m free 6:16.2 1 Q 5:33.8 1 Q 5:26.8  
1500 m free 24:08.2 1 Q 23:12.0 1 Q 22:23.2  
Stephen Ruddy 200 m breast Unknown 4 did not advance
400 m breast 7:13.0 3 did not advance
Herbert Taylor 200 m breast Unknown 4 did not advance
Duke Kahanamoku
Pua Kealoha
Perry McGillivray
Norman Ross
4 × 200 m free relay N/A 10:20.4 1 Q 10:04.4 WR  
Women
Swimmer Event Semifinals Final
Result Rank Result Rank
Ethelda Bleibtrey 100 m free 1:14.4 WR 1 Q 1:13.6 WR  
300 m free 4:41.4 WR 1 Q 4:34.0 WR  
Charlotte Boyle 100 m free 1:20.4 2 Q did not finish
Irene Guest 100 m free 1:18.8 1 Q 1:17.0  
Frances Schroth 100 m free 1:18.0 OR 1 Q 1:17.2  
300 m free 5:03.2 2 Q 4:52.0  
Eleanor Uhl 300 m free 5:02.0 1 Q Unknown 5
Margaret Woodbridge 300 m free 4:56.6 1 Q 4:42.8  
Ethelda Bleibtrey
Irene Guest
Frances Schroth
Margaret Woodbridge
4 × 100 m free relay N/A 5:11.6 WR  

Water polo

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The United States competed in the Olympic water polo tournament for the second time in 1920. The Bergvall System was in use at the time. The Americans shut out Greece in the quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals. They were defeated there by a dominant Great Britain side, which went on to win the gold medal. This gave the United States an opportunity to play for the silver under the Bergvall System. In the silver medal semifinals, they shut out Spain, but were again stymied in a loss to Belgium in the silver medal match. With one last chance at a medal, the Americans again defeated Greece in the bronze medal semifinals. In the bronze medal match, however, the team was shut out by Sweden.

Quarterfinals
United States   7–0   Greece Antwerp
Semifinals
Great Britain   7–2   United States Antwerp
Silver medal semifinals
United States   5–0   Spain Antwerp
Silver medal match
United States   2–7   Belgium Antwerp
Bronze medal semifinals
United States   7–0   Greece Antwerp
Bronze medal match
Sweden   5–0   United States Antwerp
Final rank
4th

Athletics

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90 athletes represented the United States in 1920. It was the sixth appearance of the nation in athletics, a sport in which the United States had competed at every Games. The American team, used to dominance of the sport, was seriously challenged for the first time. The nine gold medals won by the team tied the mark for fewest the nation had ever won, matching the 1896 total (when only 12 events, rather than 29, were contested). Finland matched the United States gold medal for gold medal, the first time any other nation had done so and the last time until the 1972 Games. The depth of the American team allowed the team to collect twelve silver and eight bronze medals as well (the United States's 29 total medals nearly doubled the 16 of Finland), allowing the team to remain on top of the athletics medals leader board yet again.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Athlete Event Heats Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Dan Ahearn Triple jump 13.75 6 Q 14.08 6
Milton Angier Javelin throw 57.58 9 Q 59.275 7
Harold Barron 110 m hurdles 15.2 1 Q 15.0 =WR 1 Q 15.1  
William Bartlett Discus throw 40.875 4 40.875 5
Basil Bennett Hammer throw 48.25 2 Q 48.25  
George Bihlman Shot put 13.575 7 did not advance
Max Bohland Cross country 16
Everett Bradley Pentathlon 24  
Horace Brown 5000 m 15:31.8 3 Q did not finish
Sol Butler Long jump 6.60 7 did not advance
Thomas Campbell 800 m 1:59.1 2 Q 1:57.6 2 Q did not finish
Howard Cann Shot put 13.52 8 did not advance
James Connolly 1500 m 4:10.0 3 Q did not finish
George Cornetta 10000 m 9 did not advance
Robert Crawford Cross country 40
Edward Curtis 1500 m did not finish did not advance
Charles Daggs 400 m hurdles 56.7 2 Q 55.8 3 Q 55.7 6
August Desch 400 m hurdles 57.6 1 Q 55.4 1 Q 54.7  
Michael Devaney 3000 m steeplechase 10:23.0 OR 1 Q 10:34.3 5
Ivan Dresser 5000 m 15:41.6 3 Q did not finish
Robert Dunne Pentathlon did not finish
Earl Eby 800 m 1:56.8 3 Q 1:57.0 2 Q 1:53.6  
Everett Ellis Decathlon did not finish
Robert Emery 400 m 52.6 1 Q 50.7 3 Q 50.2 4 did not advance
Frederick Faller 10000 m 33:02.4 4 Q 32:38.0 8
Cross country 15
Patrick Flynn 3000 m steeplechase 10:36.0 1 Q 10:21.1  
Cross country 28:12.0 9
Frank Foss Pole vault 3.60 1 Q 4.09 WR  
Clifford Furnas 5000 m 15:23.0 4 Q did not finish
Kaufman Geist Triple jump 13.52 12 did not advance
Harry Goelitz Decathlon did not finish
Brutus Hamilton Pentathlon 27 6
Decathlon 6771.085  
Albert Hulsebosch 3000 m steeplechase 10:26.8 3 Q 10:37.7 6
Charles Hunter 5000 m 5 did not advance
Clarence Jaquith Triple jump 13.04 15 did not advance
Eldon Jenne Pole vault 3.60 1 Q 3.60 7
Carl Johnson Long jump 6.82 3 Q 7.095  
Richard Johnson 10000 m 8 did not advance
Morris Kirksey 100 m 11.0 1 Q 10.8 1 Q 11.0 3 Q 10.9  
200 m 23.4 1 Q 22.6 1 Q 22.5 4 did not advance
Edward Knourek Pole vault 3.60 1 Q 3.60 4
Sherman Landers Triple jump 14.00 4 Q 14.17 5
Richmond Landon High jump 1.80 1 Q 1.936  
Robert LeGendre Pentathlon 26 4
James Lincoln Javelin throw 57.86 8 Q 57.86 9
Carl Linder Marathon 2:44:21.2 11
Harry Liversedge Shot put 13.755 4 Q 14.15  
Frank Loomis 400 m hurdles 55.8 1 Q 55.4 1 Q 54.0 WR  
Jack Mahan Javelin throw 53.52 12 did not advance
Thomas Maroney 3 km walk 13:52.1 3 Q 13:25.0 5
10 km walk 51:54.6 3 Q 50:24.4 6
Pat McDonald Shot put 14.08 2 Q 14.08 4
56 lb weight throw 11.00 1 Q 11.265 OR  
James McEachern Hammer throw 44.70 8 did not advance
56 lb weight throw 8.84 10 did not advance
Matt McGrath Hammer throw 46.67 5 Q 46.67 5
Charles Mellor Marathon 2:45:30.0 12
John Merchant Long jump 6.50 11 did not advance
Ted Meredith 400 m 51.6 1 Q 50.8 3 Q 50.6 4 did not advance
Harold Muller High jump 1.80 1 Q 1.90  
Loren Murchison 100 m 10.8 1 Q 10.9 2 Q 11.0 3 Q 11.2 6
200 m 23.2 1 Q 22.8 1 Q 22.4 1 Q 22.2 4
John Murphy High jump 1.80 1 Q 1.85 5
Feg Murray 110 m hurdles 15.8 1 Q 15.2 2 Q 15.1  
Edwin Myers Pole vault 3.60 1 Q 3.60  
John Norton 400 m hurdles 57.6 1 Q 56.2 3 Q 54.6  
Joseph Organ Marathon 2:41:30.0 7
Charlie Paddock 100 m 10.8 1 Q 10.8 1 Q 10.8 1 Q 10.6 =OR  
200 m 23.2 1 Q 22.9 2 Q 22.5 2 Q 22.0  
Amisoli Patisoni 10000 m did not finish did not advance
Cross country did not finish
Joseph Pearman 3 km walk Disqualified did not advance
10 km walk 47:30.0 2 Q 49:40.2  
William Plant 10 km walk 52:18.3 4 Q did not start
Gus Pope Discus throw 42.13 3 Q 42.13  
Joie Ray 1500 m 4:13.4 1 Q 4:13.0 8
Richard Remer 3 km walk 13:54.1 3 Q 13:22.2  
Edward Roberts 56 lb weight throw 9.36 7 did not advance
Winfred Rolker 3 km walk 13:59.8 4 Q 13:30.4 8
10 km walk 7 did not advance
Frank Roth Marathon did not finish
Patrick Ryan Hammer throw 52.875 1 Q 52.875  
56 lb weight throw 10.925 2 Q 10.965  
George Schiller 400 m 50.4 1 Q 51.1 2 Q 5 did not advance
Jackson Scholz 100 m 10.8 1 Q 10.8 1 Q 10.9 2 Q 10.9 4
Donald Scott 800 m 1:56.9 2 Q 1:57.2 1 Q 1:54.6 5
Frank Shea 400 m 50.8 1 Q 51.0 1 Q 50.0 1 Q 50.4 4
Lawrence Shields 1500 m 4:07.4 3 Q 4:04.3  
Walker Smith 110 m hurdles 15.8 1 Q 15.2 2 Q 15.3 5
Albert Sprott 800 m 2:01.5 2 Q 1:58.6 3 Q 1:55.4 6
Dink Templeton Long jump 6.67 5 Q 6.95 4
Arthur Tuck Javelin throw 53.78 11 did not advance
Eugene Vidal Decathlon 6358.570 7
Lewis Watson Cross country Unknown 34
Ray Watson 3000 m steeplechase 10:49.0 3 Q 10:50.3 8
Walter Whalen High jump 1.80 1 Q 1.85 4
Kenneth Wilson Discus throw 37.58 10 did not advance
Allen Woodring 200 m 22.8 1 Q 22.1 2 Q 22.4 1 Q 22.0  
William Yount 110 m hurdles 15.6 1 Q 5 did not advance
Max Bohland
Frederick Faller
Patrick Flynn
Team cross country 36 4
George Bretnall
Ted Meredith
George Schiller
Frank Shea
4 × 400 m relay 3:40.7 2 Q 3:23.6 4
Morris Kirksey
Loren Murchison
Charlie Paddock
Jackson Scholz
4 × 100 m relay 43.0 1 Q 42.2 WR  
Horace Brown
Michael Devaney
Ivan Dresser
Arlie Schardt
Lawrence Shields
3000 m team 14 2 Q 10  

Boxing

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16 boxers represented the United States at the 1920 Games. It was the nation's second appearance in boxing. The American team was one of two to send the maximum number of boxers, two in each weight class, along with Great Britain. The Americans' three gold medals was the best of any nation, but their four total medals was only the third most.

Boxer Weight class Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / Bronze match
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Frank Cassidy Lightweight N/A   Janssens (NED)
W
  Johansen (DEN)
L
did not advance 5
William Clark Welterweight Bye   Werll (BEL)
W
  Stokstad (NOR)
W
  Ireland (GBR)
L
  Colberg (USA)
L
4
Frederick Colberg Welterweight Bye   Schannong (DEN)
W
  Gillet (FRA)
W
  Schneider (CAN)
L
  Clark (USA)
W
 
Joseph Cranston Middleweight Bye   Mallin (GBR)
L
did not advance 9
Eddie Eagan Light heavyweight N/A Bye   Holdstock (RSA)
W
  Franks (GBR)
W
  Sørsdal (NOR)
W
 
George Etzell Featherweight Bye   Fritsch (FRA)
L
did not advance 9
Frankie Genaro Flyweight N/A   Nilsen (NOR)
W
  Rampignon (FRA)
W
  Albert (FRA)
W
  Pedersen (DEN)
W
 
Edward Hartman Bantamweight N/A   Bowling (GBR)
W
  Walker (RSA)
L
did not advance 5
Samuel Lagonia Middleweight Bye   Jacobsen (NOR)
W
  Mallin (GBR)
L
did not advance 5
Samuel Mosberg Lightweight N/A   Solvinto (FRA)
W
  Grace (GBR)
W
  Beland (RSA)
W
  Johansen (DEN)
W
 
Edwin Schell Light heavyweight N/A   MacGregor (RSA)
W
  Sørsdal (NOR)
L
did not advance 5
William Spengler Heavyweight N/A Bye   Creusen (BEL)
W
  Petersen (DEN)
L
  Eluère (FRA)
L
4
Samuel Stewart Heavyweight N/A Bye   Rawson (GBR)
L
did not advance 5
Sam Vogel Bantamweight N/A   Cochon (FRA)
W
  Hébrans (BEL)
L
did not advance 5
Jack Zivic Featherweight Bye Bye   Clausen (DEN)
L
did not advance 5
Peter Zivic Flyweight N/A   van Dijk (NED)
W
  Pedersen (DEN)
L
did not advance 5

Cycling

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Nine cyclists represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fifth appearance in the sport. Taylor's semifinal qualification in the sprint was the best result on the cycling track for the Americans, with Kockler's 13th-place finish in the individual time trial the best American result in road cycling, leading the American road cyclists to a 7th place team total.

Road cycling

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Cyclist Event Final
Result Rank
James Freeman Time trial 5:29:26.2 37
Ernest Kockler Time trial 4:55:12.2 13
August Nogara Time trial 5:20:08.0 30
John Otto Time trial 5:47:50.2 42
James Freeman
Ernest Kockler
August Nogara
John Otto
Team time trial 21:32:36.6 7

Track cycling

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Ranks given are within the heat.

Cyclist Event Heats Quarterfinals Repechage semis Repechage final Semifinals Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
William Beck Sprint Unknown 3 did not advance
50 km N/A did not finish
Christopher Dotterweich Sprint Unknown 2 Q Unknown 2 R Unknown 2 did not advance
Frank Small 50 km N/A did not finish
Fred Taylor Sprint 13.2 1 Q 13.0 1 Q Advanced directly 15.2 2 did not advance
50 km N/A did not finish
Anthony Young Sprint 13.2 1 Q Unknown 2 R Disqualified did not advance
50 km N/A did not finish
William Beck
Christopher Dotterweich
Fred Taylor
Anthony Young
Team pursuit N/A Unknown 2 N/A did not advance

Equestrian

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Eight equestrians represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's third appearance in the sport, having been one of three countries (along with Belgium and France) to have appeared at every Olympic equestrian competition to that point. The Americans earned no medals in 1920, unable to add to the bronze won in 1912. The team's best individual result was Chamberlin's sixth place in the eventing; the eventing team took fourth place. In a somewhat unusual result, all three of the American dressage competitors earned exactly the same score.

Equestrian Horse Event Final
Result Rank
Henry Allen Don Jumping 7.00 7
John Burke Barry Chiswell Dressage 19.3125 14
Raven Eventing 1350.00 16
Harry Chamberlin Harebell Dressage 19.3125 14
Nigra Eventing 1568.75 6
Sloan Doak Singlen Dressage 19.3125 14
Deceive Eventing did not finish
John Downer Dick Jumping 8.50 12
William West Black Boy Eventing 1558.75 7
Prince Jumping 12.00 18
John Burke Barry
Harry Chamberlin
Sloan Doak
William West
Raven
Nigra
Deceive
Black Boy
Team eventing 4477.50 4
Harry Chamberlin
Sloan Doak
Vincent Erwin
Karl Greenwald
Nigra
Rabbit Red
Joffre
Moses
Team jumping 42.00 5

Fencing

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1920 United States Mens Olympic Fencing Team

Nineteen fencers represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport. The Americans won a single medal, the bronze in the team foil. It was the country's first fencing medal since hosting the Games in 1904. None of the individual fencers reached an event final, though both teams which had to compete in semifinals did advance.

Ranks given are within the group.

Fencer Event First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Millard Bloomer Foil N/A 4–4 5 did not advance
Roscoe Bowman Sabre N/A 3–5 7 did not advance
Henry Breckinridge Épée 6–2 1 Q 5–3 5 Q 3–8 10 did not advance
Foil N/A 2–4 4 did not advance
George Calnan Foil N/A 1–4 5 did not advance
Frederick Cunningham Sabre N/A 1–7 9 did not advance
John Dimond Épée 2–4 7 did not advance
Sabre N/A 1–6 8 did not advance
Raymond Dutcher Épée 3–6 7 did not advance
Edwin Fullinwider Sabre N/A 2–5 6 did not advance
Francis Honeycutt Foil N/A 2–2 3 Q 0–5 6 did not advance
Arthur Lyon Sabre N/A 1–6 8 did not advance
Joseph Parker Foil N/A 3–5 6 did not advance
Sabre N/A 4–3 4 Q 1–5 6 did not advance
William Russell Épée 3–4 5 Q 6–5 3 Q 2–9 10 did not advance
Leonard Schoonmaker Épée 0–8 9 did not advance
Foil N/A 0–5 6 did not advance
Claiborne Walker Sabre N/A 2–4 6 did not advance
Henry Breckinridge
Francis Honeycutt
Arthur Lyon
Harold Rayner
Robert Sears
Team foil N/A 1–0 2 Q 2–2  
Henry Breckinridge
Ray Dutcher
Arthur Lyon
Harold Rayner
William Russell
Robert Sears
Team épée[6] N/A 2–3 3 Q 0–5 6
Roscoe Bowman
Frederick Cunningham
John Dimond
Bradford Fraley
Edwin Fullinwider
Arthur Lyon
Brooks Parker
Claiborne Walker
Team sabre[6] N/A 3–4 5

Gymnastics

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Four gymnasts represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport, and first since hosting the Games in 1904.

Artistic gymnastics

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Gymnast Event Final
Result Rank
Bjørne Jorgensen All-around 76.71 21
Paul Krempel All-around 78.00 20
Frank Kriz All-around 83.10 10
John Mais All-around 74.10 23

Ice hockey

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The United States competed in the inaugural Olympic ice hockey tournament. The team cruised through its quarterfinal, beating Switzerland 29–0. The Americans met Canada in a semifinal matchup; the two were clearly the best teams in the tournament. Canada came out the better, winning 2–0 to send the United States into the silver medal tournament. There, the Americans beat Sweden and Czechoslovakia by a combined score of 23–0 to emerge winners of the silver medal, using the Bergvall System.

Roster

Coach:   Cornelius Fellowes

Pos Player GP G Birthdate Age Club[7]
G Raymond Bonney 2 0 April 5, 1892 28 Pittsburgh AA
F Anthony Conroy 4 10 October 19, 1895 24 St. Paul AC
R Herb Drury 4 14 March 2, 1896 24 Pittsburgh AA
D Ed Fitzgerald 2 1 August 3, 1890 29 St. Paul AC
D George Geran 2 3 August 3, 1896 23 Boston AA
R Frank Goheen 4 7 February 9, 1894 26 St. Paul AC
F Joe McCormick 3 8 February 9, 1894 26 Pittsburgh AA
F Larry McCormick 1 7 July 12, 1890 29 Pittsburgh AA
R Frank Synott 2 1 December 28, 1891 28 Boston AA
D Leon Tuck 2 1 May 25, 1891 28 Boston AA
G Cy Weidenborner 2 0 March 30, 1895 25 St. Paul AC
Gold medal Quarterfinals
April 24, 1920
17:00
United States  29 – 0
(15–0, 14–0)
   SwitzerlandPalais de Glace d'Anvers
Game reference
Ray BonneyGoaliesRené SavoieReferee:
  Raoul Le Mat
Conroy (8)
J. McCormick (7)
Drury (6)
Goheen (6)
Fitzgerald
Tuck
Goals
7 minPenalties0 min
Gold medal semifinals
April 25, 1920
21:00
Canada  2 – 0
(0–0, 2–0)
  United StatesPalais de Glace d'Anvers
Game reference
Walter ByronGoaliesRay BonneyReferee:
  Alfred de Rauch
Fredrickson1 – 0
Johannesson2 – 0
7 minPenalties5 min
Silver medal semifinals
April 27, 1920
22:00
United States  7 – 0
(5–0, 2–0)
  SwedenPalais de Glace d'Anvers
Game reference
Cy WeidenbornerGoaliesSeth Howander
Drury (4)
Geran (3)
Goals
0 minPenalties0 min
Silver medal match
April 28, 1920
22:00
  United States  16 – 0
(7–0, 9–0)
  CzechoslovakiaPalais de Glace d'Anvers
Game reference
Cy WeidenbornerGoaliesJan PekaReferee:
  Paul Loicq
L. McCormick (7)
Drury (4)
Conroy (2)
Goheen
J. McCormick
Synott
Goals
0 minPenalties0 min
Final rank
  Silver

Modern pentathlon

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Two pentathletes represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport, having competed at both instances of the Olympic modern pentathlon.

A point-for-place system was used, with the lowest total score winning.

Pentathlete Final
Riding Fencing Shooting Swimming Running Total Rank
Harold Rayner 5 12 13 14 4 48 6
Robert Sears 3 8 9 11 20 51 8

Polo

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The United States competed in the Olympic polo tournament for the second time. The team took the bronze medal, losing to Spain in the semifinals but defeating Belgium in the bronze medal match.

Semifinals
  Spain (ESP)13–3  United States (USA)
 
Final
  United States (USA)11–3  Belgium (BEL)
 
Final rank
  Bronze

Rowing

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Fifteen rowers represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's third appearance in the sport. Three of the four boats took gold medals, with the fourth having to settle for silver after a 4-second loss to Switzerland in the coxed fours final.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Rower Cox Event Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
John B. Kelly Sr. N/A Single sculls 7:44.2 1 Q 7:46.2 1 Q 7:35.0  
Paul Costello
Jack Kelly
N/A Double sculls N/A 7:16.8 1 Q 7:09.0  
Erich Federschmidt
Franz Federschmidt
Carl Klose
Ken Myers
Sherm Clark Coxed four N/A 7:17.4 1 Q 6:58.0  
Vince Gallagher
Edwin Graves
Virgil Jacomini
Donald Johnston
William Jordan
Clyde King
Edward Moore
Alden Sanborn
Sherm Clark Eight 6:24.0 1 Q 6:24.0 1 Q 6:05.0  

Rugby union

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The United States competed in the Olympic rugby tournament for the first time. They faced France in the only match of the tournament, as the two countries were the only ones to compete. The Americans won the match to take the gold medal.

Final
United States  8–0  France
Report
Attendance: 20,000
Final rank
  Gold

Skating

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Figure skating

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Two figure skaters represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport; Sweden was one of three countries to compete in both Summer Olympics figure skating competitions. Weld took the bronze medal in the ladies' singles, with Niles finishing sixth in the men's. The two took fourth place in the pairs competition.

Skater Event Final
Result Rank
Nathaniel Niles Men's singles 49.0 6
Theresa Weld Ladies' singles 15.5  
Nathaniel Niles
Theresa Weld
Pairs 28.5 4

Shooting

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Twenty-nine shooters represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport. The country took 13 of 21 gold medals, won at least one medal in 18 of the 21 events, and finished with 23 medals—more than twice Norway's 11, which was second-best. The American teams took gold medals in 8 of the 11 team events, with a silver, a bronze, and a fourth-place finish rounding out its team results. In individual competitions, the United States won five golds, three silvers, and five bronzes. Twelve men won individual medals (Nuesslein was the only American shooter to win multiple individual medals), and ten more received medals as parts of teams.

They swept the individual small-bore rifle medals, as well as taking the gold medal in the team event. They repeated this performance in the trap and team clay pigeons events.

The American shooters won both the individual and team golds in the free rifle.

The team took both team pistol golds, as well as one of two individual pistol golds.

The military rifle events gave the United States more trouble; the team won no medal in the individual 300 metre prone event, and took only silver in the team 300 metre standing competition.

The running deer was by far the worst category for the Americans; of the four events, the United States took only a single bronze medal in the team single shots event.

Shooter Event Final
Result Rank
Harry Adams 300 m military rifle, prone 57 Unknown
Mark Arie Trap 95  
Howard Bayles 30 m military pistol 244 Unknown
50 m free pistol 430 Unknown
Horace Bonser Trap 87 5
Raymond Bracken 30 m military pistol 272  
50 m free pistol 456 Unknown
Thomas Brown 100 m deer, single shots 33 Unknown
100 m deer, double shots 63 Unknown
Dennis Fenton 50 m small-bore rifle 385  
300 m free rifle, 3 pos. 960 Unknown
Morris Fisher 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. 996  
George Fiske 50 m free pistol 458 Unknown
Karl Frederick 30 m military pistol 262 Unknown
50 m free pistol 496  
Louis Harant 30 m military pistol 264 Unknown
Frederick Hird 300 m military rifle, prone 55 Unknown
Joseph Jackson 300 m military rifle, prone 54 Unknown
600 m military rifle, prone 58 5
100 m deer, single shots 30 Unknown
100 m deer, double shots 61 Unknown
Alfred Lane 30 m military pistol 258 Unknown
50 m free pistol 481  
Joseph Lawless 600 m military rifle, prone 57 8
Willis A. Lee 50 m small-bore rifle 370 Unknown
300 m free rifle, 3 pos. 965 Unknown
300 m military rifle, prone 56 Unknown
300 m military rifle, standing 48 Unknown
600 m military rifle, prone 56 Unknown
100 m deer, single shots 33 Unknown
100 m deer, double shots 53 Unknown
Elmer Lindroth 600 m military rifle, prone 54 Unknown
Lawrence Nuesslein 50 m small-bore rifle 391  
300 m military rifle, standing 54  
100 m deer, single shots 38 7
100 m deer, double shots 64 Unknown
Carl Osburn 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. 980 4
300 m military rifle, standing 56  
Frederick Plum Trap 87 4
Arthur Rothrock 50 m small-bore rifle 386  
300 m military rifle, standing 45 Unknown
Oliver Schriver 50 m small-bore rifle 367 Unknown
Lloyd Spooner 300 m free rifle, 3 pos. 975 5
300 m military rifle, prone 58 6
300 m military rifle, standing 53 7
600 m military rifle, prone 59  
100 m deer, single shots 30 Unknown
100 m deer, double shots 62 Unknown
Frank Troeh Trap 93  
Frank Wright Trap 87  
Raymond Bracken
Karl Frederick
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
50 m team free pistol 2372  
Thomas Brown
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
300 m team military rifle, standing 255  
100 m team deer, single shots 158  
100 m team deer, double shots 282 4
Dennis Fenton
Morris Fisher
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
Team free rifle 4876  
Dennis Fenton
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
600 m team military rifle, prone 287  
Dennis Fenton
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Arthur Rothrock
Oliver Schriver
50 m team small-bore rifle 1899  
Morris Fisher
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
300 m team military rifle, prone 289  
Karl Frederick
Louis Harant
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
30 m team military pistol 1310  
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
300 & 600 m team military rifle, prone 573  
Mark Arie
Horace Bonser
Jay Clark
Forest McNeir
Frank Troeh
Frank Wright
Team clay pigeons 547  

Tug of war

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The United States competed in the Olympic tug of war tournament for the third time in 1920, the final appearance of the sport in the Olympics. The Americans joined the British in tying Sweden's mark for most appearances in the short life of tug of war at the Olympics at three of five.

The Bergvall System was used in 1920. The Americans lost in the quarterfinals to eventual gold-medallist Great Britain, thus putting the United States in contention for the silver medal. In the silver medal semifinals, they were defeated by Belgium. They won their first match of the tournament in the bronze medal semifinals, defeating Italy, before again losing to Belgium in the bronze medal match. The United States finished in fourth place of the five teams.

All matches were best-of-three pulls.

Quarterfinals
  Great Britain (GBR)2–0  United States (USA)
 
Silver medal semifinals
  Belgium (BEL)2–0  United States (USA)
 
Bronze medal semifinals
  United States (USA)2–0  Italy (ITA)
 
Bronze medal match
  United States (USA)0–2  Belgium (BEL)
 
Final rank
4th

Wrestling

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Eighteen wrestlers competed for the United States in 1920, tying Finland for most wrestlers that year. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport, matching Great Britain for most to that point. The American wrestlers took six medals, including one gold medal, and finished third on the medals leaderboard, behind Finland with five golds and Sweden with three golds. Ackerly was the American gold medalist, finishing 1–2 with Gerson in the freestyle featherweight. Metropoulos and Pendleton competed in both freestyle and Greco-Roman events, as the United States entered two wrestlers in each weight class. Most of the American success came in the freestyle competitions, with all six medals coming in that discipline.

Freestyle

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Wrestler Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals / Bronze match Rank
Charles Ackerly Featherweight N/A   Dialetis (GRE) (W)   Kaiser (SUI) (W)   Bernard (GBR) (W)   Gerson (USA) (W)  
Angus Frantz Middleweight Bye   Bacon (GBR) (W)   Borgström (SWE) (W)   Penttala (FIN) (L)   Johnson (USA) (L) 4
Sam Gerson Featherweight N/A   Mäkinen (FIN) (W)   Barathon (FRA) (W)   Shinde (IND) (W)   Ackerly (USA) (L)  
Charley Johnson Middleweight   Locon (CAN) (W)   Navale (IND) (W)   Grimstad (NOR) (W)   Leino (FIN) (L)   Frantz (USA) (W)  
Walter Maurer Light heavyweight N/A   Ledron (FRA) (W)   Westerlund (FIN) (W)   Larsson (SWE) (L)   Redman (USA) (W)  
George Metropoulos Lightweight N/A   Svensson (SWE) (L) did not advance 8
Fred Meyer Heavyweight N/A   Mason (GBR) (W)   Roth (SUI) (L)   Nilsson (SWE) (D)  
Nat Pendleton Heavyweight N/A   Mattsson (FIN) (W)   Nilsson (SWE) (W)   Roth (SUI) (L)  
John Redman Light heavyweight N/A Bye   Wilson (GBR) (W)   Courant (SUI) (L)   Maurer (USA) (L) 4
Joseph Shimmon Lightweight N/A Bye   Anttila (FIN) (L) did not advance 5

Greco-Roman

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Wrestler Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals Rank
Silver quarters Silver semis Silver match
Bronze quarters Bronze semis Bronze match
Adrian Brian Featherweight   Dialetis (GRE) (W)   Kähkönen (FIN) (L) did not advance 7
N/A did not advance
  Torgensen (DEN) (L) did not advance
Daniel V. Gallery Featherweight   van Maaren (NED) (W)   Friman (FIN) (L) did not advance 8
N/A   Boumans (BEL) (L) Did not advance
did not advance
Frank Maichle Light heavyweight Bye   Ohlsson (SWE) (W)   Tetens (DEN) (L) did not advance 7
N/A did not advance
N/A
George Metropoulos Lightweight Bye   Vouyoukos (GRE) (W)   Frisenfeldt (DEN) (L) did not advance 10
did not advance
did not advance
Nat Pendleton Light heavyweight Bye   Eriksen (DEN) (L) did not advance 10
N/A did not advance
N/A
Oral Swigart Lightweight   Ranghieri (ITA) (W)   Janssens (BEL) (L) did not advance 12
did not advance
did not advance
Henry Szymanski Middleweight Bye   Huml (TCH) (W)   Stensrud (NOR) (W)   Lindfors (FIN) (L) Did not advance 7
did not advance
  Johnsen (NOR) (L) did not advance
Alexander Weyand Heavyweight Bye   Hansen (DEN) (L) did not advance 5
did not advance
Bye   Dame (FRA) (W)   Nieminen (FIN) (L)
Edward Willkie Heavyweight   Struna (TCH) (W)   Lindfors (FIN) (L) did not advance 5
Bye   Ahlgren (SWE) (W)   Hansen (DEN) (L)
  Gasiglia (FRA) (W)   Nieminen (FIN) (L) Did not advance
Paul Zanoline Middleweight Bye   Vanderleenden (BEL) (L) did not advance 13
did not advance
did not advance

Art competitions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "United States at the 1920 Antwerp Summer Games". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  2. ^ Findling and Pelle, p. 56.
  3. ^ Josh Barr. "100 years later, looking back at Team USA's success at Antwerp 1920". United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "Officials blamed by U.S. athletes" (PDF). The New York Times. August 8, 1920. p. 23.
  5. ^ "Colleges to fight A.A.U., says Fuessle" (PDF). The New York Times. April 17, 1922. p. 19.
  6. ^ a b "United States Fencing at the 1920 Antwerpen Summer Games". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Composition for teams.
  7. ^ Report of the American Olympic Committee. Greenwich, CT: Condé Nast Press. 1920. p. 361.
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