The jury for the swimming events met and determined that a third heat should be held under special rules. If the winner of the extra heat were to beat the time set by the third-place swimmer of the first heat (1:06.2, a stiff pace but one which all three Americans had beat during the quarterfinals), he and the second-place finisher would advance.
The panel of judges for the swimming events convened and decided that an additional heat should be held under unique conditions. If the victor of the supplementary heat were to outperform the time set by the third-place finisher of the initial heat (1:06.2, a demanding pace but one that all three Americans had surpassed during the quarterfinals), he and the second-place competitor would advance.