Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's hammer throw

Earlier in the month, Hal Connolly had set the world record, adding over a metre to the mark Mikhail Krivonosov had thrown just 11 days earlier. Krivonosov had held the world record for almost two years, improving it 5 times and almost 3 metres in the process. The leader in qualifying was Anatoli Samotsvetov. Samotsvetov took the lead with an Olympic record 62.10m in the first round; the three Soviets holding the medal positions. In the second round, Krivonosov improved the Olympic record to 63.00m. American Al Hall moved into third place with 61.83m to break up the Soviet bloc. In the third round, Krivonosov upped the record 3 more cm and Connolly moved into second with a 62.65m. In the fifth round, Connolly became the third person of the day to break the Olympic record, throwing the winner 63.19 m (207 ft 3 in). Samotsvetov made a final throw of 62.56m to secure his hold on bronze, but Krivonosov's only answers were fouls, leaving him with the silver.

In a much publicized Olympic romance, Connolly would marry Czechoslovak discus throw champion, Olga Fikotová.

• Official Report
• Results