John Hayes, the winner of the eventful marathon, was a clerk at Bloomingdale's famous department store in New York. When Mr. Bloomingdale, the owner, heard of Hayes' previous achievements at the Boston and Yonkers marathons, he ordered a cinders track to be built on the roof of the store so Hayes could train for the games. After returning as a champion from London, Hayes was promoted to the head of the sporting goods department.
	Enraged that he was forced to run the 110m hurdles final on a Sunday, Forrest Smithson, a future Baptist Minister, was said to have won the race carrying a bible. Years later, this great victory of faith was somewhat dwarfed when it was revealed that the famous picture of Smithson running with the bible was posed.
Mel Sheppard was rejected from the New York Police because of a weak heart. He proved medical opinion wrong by winning the 800 and 1,500 meter races. The New York Police Department restored it's pride however, when policmen Martin Sheridan won the discus and John Flanagan won the hammer throw.