[1] The top two runners in each of the initial five heats automatically qualified for the semi-final.

In the final, Helena Fuchsová took her lane 1 position out to the lead, with Brigita Langerholc sweeping across the track from lane 8 to shut the door on Hazel Clark and the rest of the pack.

Behind her the pack scrambled for position with Kelly Holmes on Fuchsova's shoulder.

Holmes, then Maria Mutola, then Stephanie Graf all passed on the final turn.

Four years later, it would be reversed, with Holmes running past Mutoloa on the final straight.