Competition consists of three rounds: the heats, the semifinals, and the final. All boats compete in the heats. The top three finishers in each of the two heats advances directly to the final, while the remaining top nine finishers in both heats move on to the semifinal. The top three finishers in the semifinals join the heats winners in the final.
Heats took place on August 19, the semifinal took place on August 21, and the final was on August 23.