Rowing at the 1924 Summer Olympics – Men's single sculls

This was the sixth 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.olympedia.org/results/157671 |title=Single Sculls, Men |work=Olympedia |access-date=23 April 2021}}

The only returning sculler from the 1920 Games was silver medalist Jack Beresford of Great Britain. He was the favorite in 1924, having won the 1920 and 1924 Diamond Challenge Sculls and being in the midst of seven consecutive Wingfield Sculls victories. His rival from 1920, gold medalist John B. Kelly Sr., competed only in the double sculls in 1924. The American boat at the Paris Games was instead rowed by William Gilmore, who had been quite successful since a 1919 debut. Gilmore, Canadian Arthur Belyea, and European champion Josef Schneider of Switzerland were significant challengers, though Belyea was hampered by neuritis in his hip.

Australia and Poland each made their debut in the event. Great Britain made its fifth appearance, most among nations, having missed only the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

The 1924 competition introduced the repechage, giving losing rowers a second chance at advancement. The tournament featured three rounds: semifinals, a repechage, and a final. There were three semifinals, each with 2 or 3 rowers, with the top finisher in each semifinal advancing directly to the final. The second-place rower in each semifinal competed in the repechage, while the third-place finishers in the semifinals with 3 rowers were eliminated. The repechage consisted of the three men who had finished second in their semifinals; the top sculler advanced to the final. The final featured four rowers. The course used the 2000 metres distance that became the Olympic standard in 1912.{{cite web |url=https://worldrowing.com/2017/05/01/why-race-2000m-the-history-behind-the-distance/ |title=Why Do We Race 2000m? The History Behind the Distance |publisher=World Rowing |date=1 May 2017 |access-date=19 April 2021}}

Belyea finished one length behind Pieterse.

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• {{cite web | last = Wudarski | first = Pawel | year = 1999 | url = http://olympic.w.interia.pl/ | title = Wyniki Igrzysk Olimpijskich|language=pl}}

{{Olympic champions – Men's single sculls}}

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Sculls, single