Friday, August 15, 2008 - 2:10 PM

Australia's Libby Trickett had to settle for silver as German Britta Steffen won the women's 100 metres freestyle in the Beijing Olympic pool today.

World record-holder Trickett led at the turn and was in front until the final seconds when the fast-finishing Steffen mowed her down.

Steffen won in 53.12 seconds with Trickett just 0.04 seconds behind.

American Natalie Coughlin was third in 53.39.

Trickett had been put through the emotional wringer yesterday when she thought she had missed qualifying.

She was eventually handed the eighth qualifying spot after a Chinese swimmer was disqualified for a false start.

"I was just really grateful I got the opportunity ... so I really wanted to make the most of it and see what I could come up with," she said.

"And to walk away with the silver, I'm pretty damn proud."