This rowing event consisted of seven teams, split into two heats.

Each team fielded a boat crewed by eight rowers and a coxswain.

The winner of each heat qualified for the final (or medal) round.

The final ranking for this event was based on the order of finish.

The top three teams earned Olympic medals for placing first, second, and third, while the remaining "Final A" teams placed fourth through sixth, according to their final finish.