Rome - madness! Again gold for Germany at the FINA World Championships in Rome. Britta Steffen (25) is the target of their dreams, to win Olympic gold and the European title for the first time in her career at a World Cup. And how! In world record time. Whole 52.07 seconds it took for the 100-meter freestyle.
In advance of the race the great duel between Britta Steffen and Libby Trickett of its rival was expected from Australia. But there was one clear thing: Trickett could only keep up through the first half of the race. Even with the revolution it was almost by 23 hundredths ahead. But on the second 50 meters, Britta Steffen moved to the Turbo. When they stop was well forward. In the end, the Trickett had even "make do" with the bronze medal (52.93 seconds). Silver went to Great Britain's Francesca Halsall (52.87 seconds).
Even in the semi-Trickett had swum the best time (at that time also world record). "I was very nervous beforehand. Before the race I felt like a child who is expelled for the first time in the nursery," Steffen said immediately after her victory. "On the last meters I thought, Britta, now is no longer breathed, now only hit," said Steffen. "A dream has come true. Well, how many people are pleased with me."
Steffens won the sixth gold medal for the German Swimming Federation in Rome, and was showered with praise after the race. "This is crazy" said double world champion Paul Biedermann. "She has achieved all it could achieve what they do." national coach Dirk Lange found it "simply brilliant. It is our goal."
On Saturday it goes for the 25-year-old already on. Forward and 50 meters freestyle semi-finals and the medley relay are pending.
