Eleven competitors entered in two heats on August 6. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the final while the rest competed in the semifinal.[2]
Wallechinsky, David and Jaime Loucky (2008). "Canoeing: Women's Kayak Single 500 Meters". In The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2008 Edition. London: Aurum Press Limited. p. 491.