In the 100 metres event, May won his first round heat with a time of 11.2 seconds. He was eliminated in the semifinals, running the course in 11.0 seconds but taking second place in his heat to Reggie Walker who tied the Olympic record at 10.8 seconds. He lost to Robert Kerr in the preliminary heats of the 200 metres competition. May was eliminated while Kerr went on to win the gold medal in the event.