The men's single sculls event was part of the rowing programme at the 1928 Summer Olympics. It was one of seven rowing events for men and was the seventh appearance of the event, which had been on the programme for every Games since rowing was added in 1900.[1] There were 15 competitors, each from a different nation (as each nation could enter only one boat in the event).[2] The event was won by Bobby Pearce of Australia, the nation's first medal in the event. Silver went to Ken Myers of the United States, extending that nation's podium streak to three Games (and making the nation four-for-four in reaching the podium each time it appeared). David Collet of Great Britain took bronze; that nation had also earned a medal each time it appeared (six times) and had a five-Games podium streak.
Background
This was the seventh appearance of the event. Rowing had been on the programme in 1896 but was cancelled due to bad weather. The single sculls has been held every time that rowing has been contested, beginning in 1900.[2]
None of the rowers from the 1924 Games returned. Two-time medalist and reigning champion Jack Beresford competed in the eight, but not the single sculls. The 1928 Diamond Challenge Sculls winner was Joseph Wright Jr. of Canada; he was the closest thing to a favorite in a relatively open field.[2]
Japan and South Africa each made their debut in the event. Great Britain made its sixth appearance, most among nations, having missed only the 1904 Games in St. Louis.
Competition format
The 1928 competition expanded the repechage system introduced in 1924, giving losing rowers a second chance at advancement. However, the number of rowers in each race was once again limited to two after multiple Games with more than two boats per race. These changes led to the tournament having a total of seven rounds (five main rounds and two repechages).
The first round had 15 rowers in 8 heats, with one of the rowers having a bye and the other 14 competing one-on-one. The winner of each heat advanced to the second round, while the loser went to the first repechage (as long as he finished the race).
The first repechage had 6 rowers (one first-round heat was a walkover, one heat saw a competitor not finish). They were placed in 3 heats. The winner of each advanced to the second round while the loser was eliminated. Rowers advancing via the first repechage had a continuing disadvantage to those who advanced directly from the first round, as they were not eligible for the second repechage.
The second round had 11 rowers, with 10 competing in 5 heats and a sixth heat being a walkover. Winners advanced to the quarterfinals, while losers went to the second repechage (if they had advanced directly from the first round) or were eliminated (if they had already been through the first repechage).
The second repechage had 4 rowers, competing in 2 heats. The two winners advanced to the quarterfinals, with the two losers eliminated.
The quarterfinals were the first round without a repechage. Eight rowers had advanced to the quarterfinals; they competed in 4 heats, with winners advancing to the semifinals and losers eliminated.
The semifinals placed the 4 rowers in 2 heats. Winners advanced to the "A" (gold medal) final, with losers competing in a "B" (bronze medal) final.
The final round consisted of a gold medal A final (for gold and silver) and a bronze medal B final (for bronze and 4th place).
The course used the 2000 metres distance that became the Olympic standard in 1912.[3]
Winners advanced to the third round. Losers competed in the second repechage, if they had advanced by winning in the first round, or were eliminated if they had advanced through the first repechage.
The competition became single-elimination from this point, with losers being eliminated even if they had not previously had to advance through a repechage.
