1997 World Championships in Athletics – Women's 400 metres

These are the results of the Women's 400 metres event at the 1997 World Championships in Athletics in Athens, Greece.

Heats
First 4 of each Heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) qualified for the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals
First 4 of each Heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) qualified for the semifinals.

Semifinals
First 4 of each Semifinal qualified directly (Q) for the final.