Scott was the first American woman to reach the finals of the 400 meters. In the final, she burst into the lead, making up the stagger on eventual winner Colette Besson and taking a clear lead down the backstretch. She held the lead onto the homestretch before being overtaken by eventual silver medalist Lillian Board on the inside. After the fast beginning of the race, she was unable to respond to the sprint finishes of the other competitors and finished in sixth.
