Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's triple jump

These are the official results of the men's triple jump at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. The qualification round mark was set at 14.80 metres. Eleven athletes didn't surpass that distance in the morning session.

During the afternoon final, Bill Sharpe took the early lead with an American record 15.88m. In the second round, the surprise of the Olympics Vilhjálmur Einarsson jumped a wind aided 16.26m to take the lead. Defending champion and world record holder Adhemar da Silva jumped 16.04m. In the third round, Vitold Kreyer moved into bronze medal position with a 16.02m, while Sharpe injured himself on his attempt and was unable to continue the battle. In the fourth round, da Silva popped an Olympic record 16.35 m (53 ft 7 ¹⁄₂ in) to take the lead. da Silva backed up his jump by equalling Einarsson's best jump in the fifth round and adding a 16.21m in the final round. da Silva became Brazil's first back to back winner, while Einarsson won Iceland's first medal.

These are the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Vilhjálmur Einarsson set an Olympic record of 16.25 metres in the competition, but this was improved upon by Adhemar da Silva who won with a record mark of 16.35 metres.

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