Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) was limited to a single boat in the event. There were 13 qualifying places in the women's single sculls:[2]
11 from the 2019 World Championship
2 from the final qualification regatta
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed many of the events for qualifying for rowing.
Competition format
This rowing event is a double scull event, meaning that each boat is propelled by two rowers. The "scull" portion means that the rower uses two oars, one on each side of the boat; this contrasts with sweep rowing in which each rower has one oar and rows on only one side. The competition consists of multiple rounds. The competition continues to use the three-round format. Finals are held to determine the placing of each boat. The course uses the 2000 metres distance that became the Olympic standard in 1912.[3]
During the first round three heats were held. The first three boats in each heat advanced to the semifinals, with the others relegated to the repechage.
The repechage offered rowers a second chance to qualify for the semifinals. Placing in the repechage determined which semifinal the boat would race in. The top three boats in the repechage moved on to the semifinals, with the remaining boats eliminated.
Two semifinal heats were held, each with 6 boats. The top three boats from each heat advanced to Final A and competed for a medal. The remaining boats advanced to Final B.
The third and final round is the finals. Each final determined a set of rankings. The A final determined the medals, along with the rest of the places through 6th, while the B final gave rankings from 7th to 12th.