| 1 | Heike Drechsler | GDR | 22,84 | Q | |
| 2 | Grace Jackson | JAM | 23,36 | Q | |
| 3 | Angela Phipps | CAN | 23,49 | Q | |
| 4 | Marie Christin Cazier | FRA | 23,59 | ||
| 5 | Rufina Uba | NGR | 24,73 | ||
| 6 | Norfalia Carabali | COL | 24,76 | AR |
| 1 | Merlene Ottey-Page | JAM | 22,86 | Q | |
| 2 | Mary Onyali | NGR | 23,51 | Q | AR |
| 3 | Alice Jackson | USA | 23,52 | Q | |
| 4 | Els Vader | NED | 23,78 | ||
| 5 | Daniela Ferrian | ITA | 24,09 | ||
| 6 | Blanca Lacambra | ESP | 24,44 |