Nocher’s time of 2:12.29 was quick enough to win the fourth heat, but was outside the slowest qualifying time, recorded by Gemma Spofforth of Britain in the third heat (2:10.58).
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe broke the Olympic record in the fifth heat, with a time of 2:06.76. Britain’s Elizabeth Simmonds won the sixth heat, which saw five swimmers finish inside 2:10:00, with a time of 2:08.66.
