Britta Steffen strong for the 50m freestyle at the 2012 London Olympic Games – Swimming News
Two-time Olympic champion, Britta Steffen came strong in the 50m freestyle at the 2012 European Long Course Championships.
Her alluring effort at the European titles has elevated expectations of her supporters as she remained comfortably ahead of her opponents throughout the event.
Steffen, who made the world records of 50m and 100m freestyle at the 2009 Rome World Championships, lost the 100m event but remained dominant over her challengers throughout the discipline.
With her epic pace, she snared gold medal of the 50m discipline with the timing of 24.37 seconds. Her effort was followed by Hinkelien Schreuder of Netherlands, who was nearly half body length behind and settled on the victory stand for silver medal with
the timing of 24.78 seconds.
Similarly, third fastest spot of the event was secured by Nery-Mantey Niangkouara of Greece, who accomplished bronze medal with the timing of 24.93 seconds.
After her title-claiming effort, Steffen said, “I am determined to return to Germany and get some hard training in for the Olympics.”
Subsequently, Steffen failed to withstand scintillating effort of Sarah Sjoestroem in the 100m freestyle discipline. The 28-year-old Steffen remained considerably slower from her strongest swimmer and finished second in the event.
Sjoestroem went full throttle in the double lap discipline and clocked a time of 53.61 seconds. Her effort remained 0.54 seconds faster from the world mark holder, Steffen, who posted 54.15 seconds for silver medal of the event.
Steffen was chased by her teammate, Daniela Schreiber, who captured bronze medal of the event with the timing of 54.41 seconds.
On the other hand, Biedermann also shined in the events of 200m and 400m freestyle at the championship.
The 25-year-old Biedermann, who set the world record of the 200m and 400m freestyle at the 2009 Rome World Championships, was contented with his gold winning efforts.
“I wasn't at 100 per cent but the time isn't too bad. Amaury Leveaux and myself know each other well, we are old acquaintances,” said Biedermann after his victory.
Steffen’s alluring effort in the single lap discipline has aroused hopes of her supporters and it would be interesting to see how she performs at the biggest stage of sports.
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