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Steffen: Celebrates her win
"It was a super race. Even if I hadn't got a medal it would have been fine."
Britta Steffen
Women's 100m freestyle:
Gold: Britta Steffen (Ger) 53.12secs (OR)
SIlver: Libby Trickett (Aus) 53.16
Bronze: Natalie Coughlin (US) 53.39
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Germany's Britta Steffen edged ahead in the final few metres to pip world record holder Libby Trickett in the 100m freestyle.
Trickett looked to have the gold medal in the bag at around the 75m mark but Steffen produced an astonishing late burst to claim the title in 53.12, an Olympic record.
Trickett was just 0.04secs behind to earn silver while American Natalie Coughlin was third.
Britain's Fran Halsall finished eighth in a time of 54.29, outside the national record time she set in the heats.
After the first 50m, Steffen occupied last place before fighting her way through the field, a remarkable achievement given the quality of her opponents.
"It was a super race. Even if I hadn't got a medal it would have been fine," Steffen said.
"I wasn't counting on a medal. Sometimes it's better to have that attitude and there is something outside of what you've expected."
