The top three runners in each of the initial seven heats automatically qualified for the second round. The next eight fastest runners from across the heats also qualified for the second round. The top four runners in each of the four second round heats automatically qualified for the semi-final.
The top four runners in each semi-final automatically qualified for the final.
There were a total number of 59 participating athletes.
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in seconds) prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics.