The fastest 8 teams qualify for the first round, from which the top 4 remain in contention for the gold medal final and the other 4 for the bronze medal final.[2]
q = qualified; in contention for bronze medal final
First round
First round heats are held as follows:
Heat 1: 6th v 7th qualifier
Heat 2: 5th v 8th qualifier
Heat 3: 2nd v 3rd qualifier
Heat 4: 1st v 4th qualifier
The winners of heats 3 and 4 proceed to the gold medal final.
The remaining 6 teams are ranked on time, then proceed to the finals for bronze, 5th or 7th place.[3]