The women's eight competition at the 1984 Summer Olympics took place at Lake Casitas, California, United States of America.

The Romanians held a small lead over the Americans at the halfway mark, crossing at 1:29.28 to the United States' 1:29.62.

But the Americans had a strong second half, breaking the finish line under the 3 minute mark—a feat which had not been accomplished before in Olympic history (the Soviets had come closest, with 3:00.19 in the first heat of the 1976 eight competition).

There was also a closely contested race for the bronze medal between the Dutch and the Canadians; the former held off the latter.

Great Britain started strong, running third at the halfway mark, before dropping back to fifth.