[1] Heavy favorite for gold, Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson, withdrew from the event due to a quad injury.

Ajeé Wilson, paired with Freweyni Hailu, ran her first four steps fast off the line to immediately give her clear running in her lane, then she settled into her own pace.

Natoya Goule, alone in lane 5, ran a fast first turn to have a clear lead at the break.

Wilson waited until the next straightaway, when she capitalized on her freedom, speeding past Alemu, Nakaayi and Goule just before the bell.

From sixth place entering the final turn, Hailu drifted to the outside of lane 2 and sprinted past the field, passing Nakaayi 2 metres out for silver.