Germany8217;s Britta Steffen takes 100 metres freestyle gold

Britta Steffen won Germany8217;s first swimming gold of the Beijing Olympics when she swum down world record holder Libby Trickett to win the women8217;s 100 metres freestyle on Friday with a time of 53.12 seconds.

Australia8217;s Trickett was the silver medallist with 53.16 while Natalie Coughlin of the United States took bronze in 53.39.

Trickett led from the Netherland8217;s Marleen Veldhuis at the 50 metre mark before Steffen, the former world record holder in the event, burst through for victory in the final few metres.

Veldhuis faded badly and finished joint sixth.