The top two runners in each of the initial five heats automatically qualified for the semifinals. The next six fastest runners from across the heats also qualified. There were two semifinal heats, and only the top four from each heat advanced to the final. Two time Olympic 100 meter gold medalist and defending world champion at 100 meter hurdles Gail Devers continued her run of Olympic misfortune in the hurdles, falling with a calf injury at the first hurdle of her first-round heat.