All the favourites progressed to the final from the women's 400m semifinals. 18-year-old American, Sanya RICHARDS, with a personal best of 50.58, was the best name to miss the final.
In the first heat it was Richards and Svetlana POSPELOVA (RUS), who lead the runners to the home straight. With Richards fading quickly, Pospelova seemed set for the win, before reigning world champion, Amy Mbacke THIAM (SEN), made her usual move in the final 50 metres. Thiam strolled easily past the others slowing down before the finish waving with her arms at the same time. She finished in 50.78 with Pospelova second in 50.84. Lee MCCONNELL (GBR) passed Richards to take a place in the final, qualifying with her time of 51.06.
In the second heat, both Tonique WILLIAMS (BAH) and Lorraine FENTON (JAM), the two fastest runners in this heat, handled the race as expected and took the two qualifying spots easily. Olesya ZYKINA (RUS) was fastest behind them in 50.96, enough for her to qualify for the final on times.
Ana GUEVARA (MEX), the favourite to win the final, had no trouble whatsoever in her semifinal. Guevara was able to ease down in the front straight. Natalya NAZAROVA (RUS) followed her for the second automatic spot for the final. Guevara's winning time was 50.68, Nazarova second in 50.92 and Mirelle NGUIMGO (CMR) time of 51.19 was not enough for her to enter the final.
