The star of the Games was Alvin Kraenzlein, the only athlete ever to win four individual gold medals in track and field. Kraenzlein won the 110 and 200 meters hurdles. the 60 meter dash and the long jump. However, not everyone was thrilled by Kraenzlein's achievements. Meyer Prinstein, world record holder in the long jump, was forbidden to compete in the finals because they were held on a Sunday, the Christian day of rest. Ironically Prinstein was Jewish and his Sabbath was on Saturday, not Sunday. Prinstein turned his frustration on Kraenzlein and punched him in the face. Later Prinstein channeled his energy more constructively and won the triple jump. Four years later he would win the long jump in which and his resulting world record would stand 20 years. Kraenzlein retired after the Paris games.

Ray Ewry's phenomenal career included winning an all-time record of ten gold medals, including two in the non-official games of 1906. Ewry suffered from polio and spent part of his childhood in a wheelchair. He started running on his doctor's orders. He won three gold medals in Paris in the standing long jump, standing high jump and standing triple jump - events no longer held in today's Olympic Games.