German Steffen sets Olympic record to win women's 50m freestyle

German Steffen sets Olympic record to win women's 50m freestyle

Britta Steffen of Germany celebrates during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal in a new olympic record with 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo/Ding Xu)


BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Britta Steffen of Germany won the women's 50m freestyle gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Sunday.

Steffen clocked in an Olympic record of 24.06 seconds to beat the previous mark of 24.13 set up by Inge de Bruijn of the Netherlands on September 22, 2000.

American Dara Torres got the silver in 24.07 and Australian Cate Campbell finished third in 24.17.


Britta Steffen of Germany smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)


Britta Steffen (L) of Germany celebrates during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)


Britta Steffen waves during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)


Britta Steffen waves during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)


Britta Steffen smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)


Britta Steffen of Germany looks on during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.(Xinhua Photo)


Britta Steffen of Germany prepares during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds. (Xinhua Photo)