The women's 4 × 400 metres relay event at the 2008 Olympic Games took place on 22 and 23 August at the Beijing Olympic Stadium. There were only 16 NOCs competing at this event. These 16 NOCs were selected by the average of the two best marks at the qualifying period. In 2016, it was announced that a reanalysis of samples from the 2008 Summer Olympics resulted in a doping violation by Tatyana Firova. Accordingly, the Russian team was disqualified, and the Russian team were stripped of their 4 × 400 m relay silver medals. 4th placed Belarus was also disqualified due to a doping violation by anchor runner Sviatlana Usovich. Medals of the other teams have been reallocated by the IAAF.

Records

Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows. No new world or Olympic records were set for this event.

Qualification summary

Results

All times shown are in seconds.

Round 1

First 3 in each heat (Q) and the next 2 fastest (q) advance to the Final.

Final