The men’s 100 metres at the 1896 Olympic Games was contested in open water in the Bay of Zea rather than in a swimming pool. Competitors started from boats and raced toward the shore, with final placings determined by finishing order and time. The event reflected the improvised and natural conditions of early Olympic swimming, where cold water, currents, and visibility could all influence performance.
Incomplete dataset mode: event rankings may include manual aggregate data and partial official results.
| Rank | Participant | Status | Time | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfréd Hajós | FINISHED | 1:22.2 | PARTIAL |
| 2 | Otto Herschmann | FINISHED | 1:22.8 | PARTIAL |
| 4 | Gardner Williams | FINISHED | - | PARTIAL |
| 4 | Alexandros Chrysafos | FINISHED | - | PARTIAL |
| 4 | Efstathios Chorafas | FINISHED | - | PARTIAL |
| 4 | Georgios Anninos | FINISHED | - | PARTIAL |