Heat 1 | Team | Time | 1. Kelly Holmes | Gbr | 1:57.98 SB | 2. Tatyana Andrianova | Rus | 1:58.41 | 3. Jearl Miles Clark | USA | 1:58.71 | 4. Zulia Calatayud | Cub | 1:59.21 SB | 5. Agnes Samaria | Nam | 1:59.37 SB | 6. Elisabeth Grousselle | Fra | 2:00.21 | 7. Amina Ait Hammou | Mor | 2:00.66 | 8. Michelle Ballentine | Jam | 2:00.94 |
Middle Time | Athlete | Team | Time | 400m | Jearl Miles Clark | USA | 57.18 |
| Heat 2 | Team | Time | 1. Hasna Benhassi | Mor | 1:58.59 SB | 2. Jolanda Ceplak | Slv | 1:58.80 | 3. Tetyana Petlyuk | Ukr | 1:59.48 PB | 4. Nicole Teter | USA | 1:59.50 | 5. Natalya Khrushchelyova | Rus | 2:00.68 | 6. Lucia Klocova | Svk | 2:00.79 SB | 7. Marian Burnett | Guy | 2:02.21 | 8. Mayte Martinez | Spa | 2:03.30 |
Middle Time | Athlete | Team | Time | 400m | Jolanda Ceplak | Slv | 57.85 |
| Heat 3 | Team | Time | 1. Maria de Lurdes Mutola | Moz | 1:59.30 | 2. Maria Cioncan | Rom | 1:59.44 PB | 3. Svetlana Cherkasova | Rus | 1:59.80 | 4. Diane Cummins | Can | 2:00.30 | 5. Joanne Fenn | Gbr | 2:00.60 | 6. Seltana Ait Hammou | Mor | 2:00.64 | 7. Luciana de Paula Mendes | Bra | 2:02.00 | 8. Letitia Vriesde | Sur | 2:06.95 |
Middle Time | Athlete | Team | Time | 400m | Maria de Lurdes Mutola | Moz | 57.84 |
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